The Athletics Integrity Unit has announced an immediate suspension of Nigerian sprinter Divine Oduduru over doping violation.
According to Channels TV, Oduduru, who is Nigeria’s second-fastest runner ever, only behind the legendary Olusoji Fasuba, is also at risk of a six-year ban according to a statement issued by the AIU on Thursday.
“The Athletics Integrity Unit has notified Divine Oduduru of two potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations and is seeking a six-year ban against the Nigerian.
“The sprinter has been notified of potential ADRVs for possession and/or use or attempted use of multiple Prohibit”.
He has been provisionally suspended immediately.” the AIU statement read in part.
The AIU has provisionally suspended Divine Oduduru for possession/use or attempted use of a Prohibited Substance.
The AIU stated that based on the information in the complaint, including text conversations gotten from Okagbare’s mobile phone by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and further evidence obtained from the AIU investigation, the AIU alleges that Oduduru is ‘Athlete 2’ identified in the complaint.
Since his unceremonious outing at the Tokyo Olympics, Oduduru has been off the radar on the race tracks.
He was not part of Team Nigeria at the Mauritius 2022 African Athletics Championships, as well as the World Championships and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Though he initially hinted he will be in action at the last National Sports Festival held in Asaba, Delta State, he ended up not competing. He blamed injury for his absence.
