Olympic team faces being stripped of silver medal after doping ‘disaster’
An entire Great Britain relay team faces the prospect of losing the silver medal it won in Tokyo after being rocked by a doping scandal.
British sprinter CJ Ujah, who won an Olympic silver medal in the 4x100m relay in Tokyo, has been suspended for an alleged anti-doping breach, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced.
If the case is proven, then 27-year-old Ujah and the British team — consisting of Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Richard Kilty and Zharnel Hughes — will be stripped of the silver they won behind Italy in Japan.
The AIU said that Ujah was found to have “presence/use of prohibited substances ostarine and S-23, which are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM)”.
They are substances commonly used to build muscle.
In his most recent Instagram posting, Ujah wrote: “Stay focused … Because truth is madder than fiction.”
English sports journalist Martyn Ziegler tweeted: “It’s a disaster for his relay team-mates — they face being stripped of their medals too.”
As well as Ujah, Bahrain’s 1500m runner Sadik Mikhou, Georgian shot-putter Benik Abramyan and Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno Odhiambo have also been provisionally suspended following adverse tests, the AIU added.
“The AIU now awaits the conclusion of the International Testing Agency (ITA) proceedings against the above athletes, which will determine whether any anti-doping rule violations have been committed and what consequences (if any) should be imposed in relation to the Olympic Games,” said a statement.
“Any consequences beyond the Olympic Games to be imposed upon the athletes under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules will be determined following the conclusion of the ITA proceedings.”
If Ujah’s ban stands, Canada will see its bronze medal upgraded to silver and China will move from 4th into third.
Italy beat Great Britain to the line in just 0.01 seconds to claim top spot on the podium in the thrilling relay final.
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