Nigerian hurdler and world record holder Tobi Amusan has been acquitted of all doping violations by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and will be eligible to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024.
The CAS dismissed appeals from World Athletics (WA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), affirming the previous decision to clear Amusan of wrongdoing.
The case against Amusan is from allegations of violating Rule 2.4 of the WA Anti-Doping Rules (WA ADR), which involves whereabouts failures.
The allegations, based on three missed anti-doping tests within 12 months, led to charges of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
Both WA and WADA sought two years of ineligibility for Amusan. However, after a hearing on 19 January 2024, the CAS concluded that Amusan did not commit an ADRV.
The panel unanimously determined that while Amusan had committed two filing failures, there was insufficient evidence to confirm a third missed test. This would have constituted a whereabouts failure under Rule 2.4 WA ADR.
The CAS panel’s decision upholds the earlier ruling by the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal (WADT) made on 17 August 2023, which found no basis for imposing any period of ineligibility on Amusan.
As a prominent figure in athletics, Amusan’s case had garnered widespread attention, with many rallying in her defence.
The decision not only clears her of the doping allegations but also allows her to continue her illustrious career without the burden of these accusations.
Amusan, who set the world record of 12.12 seconds in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in July 2022, will now be eligible to compete in the Paris Olympics.
Despite finishing sixth in the World Championships in Budapest last year, her record and achievements remain intact.
World Athletics’ anti-doping rules state that any athlete failing to declare their whereabouts for a doping test on three occasions within 12 months is subject to a two-year ban.
CAS will publish the reasoned award unless the parties request confidentiality. This ruling highlights the necessity of thorough examination in such cases to prevent unjust penalties on athletes.
🗣️🗣️FREE AT LAST!!!
Tobi Amusan has finally been cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a whereabout rule violation filed by the World Athletics and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
CAS dismissed the charges and ruled that: "Accordingly, the Challenged… pic.twitter.com/ea7eNoVTdq
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) June 28, 2024
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