World 100 metres hurdles champion Oluwatobi Amusan has expressed her delight after being cleared of doping violations by an independent tribunal on Thursday.
Last month, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) provisionally suspended the Nigerian track and field athlete for three missed whereabouts failures.
The suspension was announced after it was discovered that Amusan had missed three drug tests within a 12-month period. This charge carried a two-year suspension term, even if an athlete has never failed a drug test.
Ultimately, the Disciplinary Tribunal announced the verdict which stated, “Tobi Amusan has not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period”.
Reacting to the verdict on Friday, the 26-year-old took to her Facebook handle to share her relief.
The statement read in part, “I am thrilled to put this behind me and I look forward to defending my title at next week’s World Championships.
“This morning I found out that the Independent Tribunal that heard my case has noted that I did not violate the whereabouts rules and as a result, I will not be sanctioned and none of my results will be precluded.
“I generally have been and consistently will be an ally of clean sport.”
The AIU Head Brett Clothier indicated the unit was “disappointed by this decision and will review the reasoning in detail before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline.”
Her suspension was seen as a huge blow to Nigeria’s chances at the competition. Following the development, the Athletics Federation of Nigerian (AFN) left out Amusan from the country’s contingent to the World Athletics Championship set to begin on Saturday.
But with Thursday’s development, the medalist hopeful is expected to take part in the competition billed for Budapest, Hungary.