Ujah, first fractionist of the 4×100 won by Italy, under investigation for doping
ROME. Chijindu Ujah, the 27-year-old first relay runner of Great Britain in the dream 4x100m won by Italy, is under investigation for an anti-doping violation that could lead to the cancellation of silver for the team beaten for a single cent by Patta, Jacobs, Desalu and Tortu .
Ujah was checked after the conclusion of the 4×100. Traces of ostarine were found in his sample, an anabolic that has testosterone-like effects. The violation was found on August 8, two days after the match, by the Tokyo anti-doping laboratory. Ujah now has the right to ask for counter-analyzes, but has in the meantime been suspended as a precaution.
If the positivity is confirmed or if Ujah does not request counter-analysis, the case would pass to the anti-doping division of the Sports Court, which will have to decide on the penalties for Ujah and for the possible revocation of the British 4×100 medal. By regulation, if an athlete participating in a relay commits an anti-doping violation, the entire team is suspended.
The 27-year-old of Nigerian origins, who had also run the 100 in Tokyo stopping in the semifinals, was in the first fraction against Patta. If the British relay were disqualified, silver would go to Canada, third on the track in Tokyo, and bronze to China. Great Britain finished second behind Italy for just one cent.
In all, four athletes have committed doping-related offenses during the Tokyo competitions, and now face penalties. Three of these athletes were provisionally suspended during the Games. They are Sadik Mikhou (Bahrain) – 1500m – for a blood transfusion, Benik Abramyan (Georgia) – shot put – and Mark Otieno Odhiambo (Kenya) – 100m – for the use of a prohibited substance. Finally, the case of the relay runner.
As World Athletics underlines in a note “now we await the conclusion of the proceedings against the athletes, which will determine whether any violations of the anti-doping rules have been committed”.