Nigeria Stripped of Gold Medal in Women’s 4x100m at Commonwealth Games Following Doping Investigation
The Commonwealth Games Federation has taken the decision to strip Nigeria of the gold medal they won in the women’s 4x100m event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The decision to revoke the gold medal came after investigations into a positive doping result returned by Grace Nwokocha, who was part of Nigeria’s quartet in the race.
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Nwokocha was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit when her sample tested positive for Ostarine and Dihydroxy-LGD-4033, a metabolite of Ligandrol. These substances are classified as non-Specified Substances and are included in the WADA 2022 Prohibited List under Other Anabolic Agents.
Nwokocha had played a crucial role as the anchor leg runner at the Alexander Stadium, successfully fending off competition from England’s Daryll Neita and Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah to secure the gold medal in a remarkable African Record time of 42.10 seconds.
A statement released on the Games website explained that the Federation Court has disqualified Ms. Nwokocha’s results from the women’s 100m, women’s 200m, and women’s 4x100m events, along with all associated consequences, including the forfeiture of any points and prizes.
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With Nigeria’s medal being withdrawn, England has been elevated to the first position, followed by Jamaica in second place, and Australia moving up to third.
The statement from the Commonwealth Games Federation clarified the decision, stating, “The Commonwealth Games Federation Court has issued their decision regarding an in-competition sample provided by Ms. Nwokocha, who competed in Athletics at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The analysis of the sample revealed an Adverse Analytical Finding for Ostarine and Dihydroxy-LGD-4033, both non-Specified Substances listed under Other Anabolic Agents in the WADA 2022 Prohibited List.”
“On May 17, 2023, the Federation Court ruled that Ms. Nwokocha had committed the following Anti-Doping Rule Violations under the 2022 Commonwealth Games Anti-Doping Rules: Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in the Athlete’s Sample, and Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method.”
As a result of this decision, all of Ms. Nwokocha’s performances in the aforementioned events have been disqualified, and she will face the consequences outlined by the Federation Court, including the forfeiture of any points and prizes earned.
