Grace Nwokocha: Why Nigeria’s Commonwealth Gold Medalist Was Provisionally Suspended

2022 Commonwealth gold medalist Grace Nwokocha has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

According to the AIU, Nwokocha is accused of using banned substances while competing for honours.

The 21-year-old ran the anchor leg during the Commonwealth in Birmingham just last month. She helped Nigeria claim gold medal in the 4×100m women’s final, ahead of England and Jamaica.

She ran alongside Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma and another celebrity athlete, Oluwatobiloba Amusan. The victory was a superb one for the country as the four runners set a fantastic record during the Games.

The quartet ran a time of 42.10s to set a new African Record and win what was, at that time, Nigeria’s 11th gold medal. The country later won a total of 12 gold medals, nine silver and 14 bronze medals.

It was the first time in history that Nigeria won more than 11 gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

A statement released by the AIU on Twitter read: “The AIU has provisionally suspended Nigerian runner, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2).”

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Nwokocha, who is a multiple-time national champion over 100 metres, has a personal best time in the 100m. She ran 10.97s at the last World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA. She also ran a personal best of 22.44s in the 200m.

Both Ligandrol and Ostarine and Ligandrol are anabolic agents prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

By being provisionally suspended, Grace Nwokocha is now momentarily banned from competing at any level. This is pending when a final decision is made at a hearing that will be conducted under the WADA rules.

Nwokocha qualified for last year’s Tokyo Olympics and also entered the 100m and 200m at the world championships in Eugene this year, reaching the semi-finals in both events.

Nwokocha, who is a multiple-time national champion over 100 metres, has a personal best time in the 100m. She ran 10.97s at the last World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA. She also ran a personal best of 22.44s in the 200m.

Implication of the Provisional Ban on Nigeria

Nigeria now stands at the risk of losing both the gold medal and African record set at the Games.

Recall that, just like Grace Nwokocha, Blessing Okagbare was the last Nigerian athlete to be provisionally suspended. Following a sitting by WADA, she was banned for 10 years for multiple doping infractions. She was also found guilty of refusing to cooperate with investigators.