Olympics: Nigerian Boxer failed dope test

Nigerian lightweight boxer, Cynthia Ogunsemilore, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance on Saturday ahead of her opening fight at the Paris Olympics. The International Testing Agency said on Saturday that the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and African Games champion tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list, in an out-of-competition doping control collected on Thursday. “The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Olympic Committee Anti-Doping Rules,” the ITA said on their website. The suspension means Ogunsemilore is barred from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The third Nigerian boxer to qualify for the Olympics, Dolapo Omole, was forced to withdraw from competition days prior to the Games due to injury. As a result, Adam Olaore is the only medal contender for the country. The International Boxing Association (ITA) said that Ogunsemilore has the right to contest the temporary suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Anti-Doping Division and request analysis of her B-sample.