The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Nigerian athlete Grace Nwokocha for three years over the Presence of Prohibited Substances Ostarine and Ligandrol in her sample.
According to a statement from AIU, Nwokocha, a 22-year-old Nigerian sprinter, who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, tested positive for Ostarine and Ligandrol in a sample collected on August 3, 2022.
“The Athlete agrees to be sanctioned with a period of Ineligibility of three (3) years; the Parties agree that taking into consideration the criteria in Rule 10.8.2 of the ADR, the period of Ineligibility shall commence on the date of Sample collection, i.e., 3 August 2022.”
The Statement reads:
On 3 August 2022, Ms Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha¹ ("the Athlete") provided a Sample In-
Competition during Doping Control conducted by the Commonwealth Games Federation
("CGF") in accordance with the Anti-Doping Rules for the 2022 Commonwealth Games (the
"CGF ADR"), which resulted in an Adverse Analytical Finding for Ostarine and Dihydroxy-LGD-
4033 a Metabolite of Ligandrol) which are Non-Specified substances, prohibited at all times.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF DISPOSITION OF ANTI-DOPING MATTER
UNDER RULE 14.3.2- NZUBECHI GRACE NWOKOCHA (NGR)
7.
On 21 August 2022, the CGF notified the Athlete of the Adverse Analytical Finding in
accordance with Article 7.2.1 of the CGF ADR and imposed a Provisional Suspension upon the
Athlete (effective immediately) in accordance with Article 7.5.1 of the CGF ADR.
athleticsintegrity.org
On 2 September 2022, the AIU issued the Athlete with a Notice of Provisional Suspension and
Public Disclosure based on the Adverse Analytical Finding and informed the Athlete, inter alia,
that the Adverse Analytical Finding was being brought forward as an apparent Anti-Doping Rule
Violation ("ADRV") under Article 2.1 and/or Article 2.2 of the CGF ADR by the CGF, which was
responsible (in accordance with Article 7.1.1 of the CGF ADR) for determining, on behalf
the CGF (i) whether an ADRV had been committed and (ii) the applicable Consequences related
to the Commonwealth Games.
The AIU also informed the Athlete that, following the determination the above, the CG
would refer the determination of any (further) Consequences for any ADRV beyond the
Commonwealth Games to the AIU on behalf of World Athletics (if applicable).
5.
On 16 November 2022, the CGF issued the Athlete with a Notice of Charge charging the Athlete
with ADRVS under Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of the CGF ADR.
6.
On 10 March 2023, a hearing took place in the Athlete's case before the CGF Court.
On 18 May 2023, the CGF provided World Athletics with a copy of the Decision of the CGF Court
dated 17 May 2023 in relation to the ADRVS and the imposition of Consequences under the CGF
ADR (the "CGF Decision"), which ruled, inter alia, that:
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