‘Shocked and devastated’: CJ Ujah speaks as entire team’s medal may be stripped

CJ Ujah has spoken publicly for the first time after being caught in an Olympic drugs scandal that could rip his entire team’s silver medal away.

Olympian CJ Ujah has declared “I am not a cheat” after being provisionally suspended for an alleged anti-doping breach.

The 27-year-old was part of the Great Britain team that won silver on the track in the 4x100m relay in Tokyo he, as well as teammates Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, could be stripped of their medal if Ujah is found guilty.

However, he is adamant he did nothing wrong.

Speaking publicly for the first time since news broke of his positive test last week, Ujah told PA: “It’s taken me a few days to process the information I received on Thursday shortly before it was made public.

“I am completely shocked and devastated by this news.

“To be absolutely clear, I am not a cheat and I have never and would never knowingly take a banned substance.

“I love my sport and I know my responsibilities both as an athlete and as a teammate.

“I am respecting the formal processes and will not be making any further comment until it is appropriate to do so.”

CJ Ujah (far left) is maintaining his innocence. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

The presence of banned substances ostarine and S-23 were found in Ujah’s sample. These help with building muscle.

Italy’s shock double-gold winning sprinter Lamont Marcell Jacobs, who stormed to victory in the individual 100m final and the 4x100m relay, said he “smiled” when hearing the news of Ujah’s provisional suspension.

Jacobs told Tuttosport: “Doping? The situation has not touched me so much.

“I know the sacrifices and the blows I went through to get here and instead I want to enjoy it 100 per cent.

‘”After seeing the Ujah investigation I would say that perhaps it is better to look into your own house first and then attack others. It makes me smile.”

If found guilty, in addition to losing his silver medal, Ujah could be booted out of athletics for four years. First, however, he can ask to have his B sample analysed.

This story first appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘Shocked and devastated’: CJ Ujah speaks as entire team’s medal may be stripped