Nigerian Olympic boxing hopes have suffered a significant blow with the disqualification of rising boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore. The 22-year-old, a gold medalist at the African Games and a bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic and masking agent.
Ogunsemilore was scheduled to compete in her first Olympic match on Monday in the 60 kg lightweight division against Shih Yi Wu of Chinese Taipei. Although the option to appeal the result is available, it is doubtful that a decision will be made before the competition.
Once again, Nigeria finds itself caught up in a doping scandal at the Olympic Games, with Blessing Okagbare’s ban in 2021 marking the second consecutive occurrence. There is mounting pressure on the Nigerian Olympic Committee to tackle the escalating problem of doping in the country’s sports programme.
WADA has raised concerns about Nigeria’s compliance with anti-doping regulations and has escalated the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching consequences for Nigerian sports.
Amidst the nation’s grief over the tragic loss of a talented athlete, concerns are being raised about the level of support and education given to Nigerian athletes in relation to anti-doping regulations.
The Nigerian Olympic Committee has not yet commented on the incident regarding the disqualification of the boxer.
