World Athletics list Amusan for Budapest 2023 with big a question mark

Entries for the Budapest World Athletics Championships close Thursday night with embattled Nigeria hurdler Tobi Amusan listed for participation by the athletics governing body but with a huge question mark.

 And the answer to the question is Pending AIU Process. Amusan, who is the World Record holder and defending champion in the event is ineligible to compete until she is cleared by AIU after hearing for missing three whereabouts tests which led to her provisional suspension.

The hearing before the AIU panel in Budapest is slated for between now and August 19 when the championship will start.

If her defence is successful she will be allowed to compete in Budapest but if she failed, she may be banned for a couple of months or a maximum of two years. If banned for two years, she will miss the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

What is Provisional Suspension

According to Article 2.4 of the AIU, Whereabouts Failures leading to provisional suspension is when an athlete is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.

In Amusan’s case, a provisional suspension imposed in a non-doping case does not in any way abrogate the presumption of innocence and it is not an early determination of guilt. Rather, it is an order made on a precautionary basis to safeguard the interests of the sport.

To ensure Amusan is acquitted, Nigerians versed in doping laws and regulations have prepared a water-tight defense for her with supporting documents. It is also believed that her management company, Atlanta-based Icon Management Inc. has arranged a lawyer versed in doping laws for her.

Icon president Kimberly Holland has managed and is still managing Nigeria athletes Oludamola Osayomi, Doreen Amata, Ese Brume, Raymond Ekevwo, and the likes of Angelo Taylor, LaShawn Merritt, Shawn Crawford, William Clay, and Moushaumi Robinson, Emmanuel Korir among others. She should be versed in World Athletics procedures.

Coe has no sympathy for Amusan and others

Meanwhile, World Athletics president Seb Coe has no sympathy for Amusan and others with whereabouts problem

The president of World Athletics Sebastian Coe has no sympathy for Team Nigeria hurdler Tobi Amusan who has been suspended by AIU.

In recent years a string of high-profile athletes including Brianna McNeal, Christian Coleman, Salwa Eid Naser, Elijah Manangoi, Wilson Kipsang, and Raven Saunders have been suspended for falling foul of the system three times within 12 months where they have to notify testers where they will be for an hour of their choice each day.

Coe has little sympathy for those who complain the system is flawed or unfair - usually, those who have been on the wrong side of it.

“The vast majority of athletes who are not cheating have no problem with the whereabouts system,” he said.

“The issue is very simple. They’re asked to identify for one hour a day where they’re going to be and I really don’t think that that is brain surgery.

“The same athletes who are complaining about whereabouts are posting every hour of the day. I accept that things can change but you have the opportunity to go online and explain where you will be. Every athlete I know takes this seriously. I’m sorry it really isn’t that complicated.

“I think that it lends confidence. Our sport has improved its reputation more than any other sport in the last two years by a distance and our reputation has come back because we’ve been prepared to tackle the issues around doping.

“Making the Athletics Integrity Unit independent, taking the politics out, has created systems that are doing what they were supposed to do.”

Other Nigerians on the plane to Budapest

Other Nigerians listed to compete in Budapest are Iteshekiri Usheoritshe, Ashe Favour, Seye Ogunlewe, Alaba Akintola, Fakroede Adekalu, Karlignton Anunagba, Dubem Nwachukwu, Nathaniel Ezekiel, Chidi Okezie, Samuel Ogazi and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi.

The women’s list has Olympic Bronze medalists, Ese Brume, Rosemary Chkuwma, Favour Ofili, Umukoro Success, and Okwose Faith.

Others are; Patience Okon, Uko Imaobong Nee, Eyakpobeyan Justina, Patience George Okon, One Opeyemi One, Omojuvwewo Ella, Ruth Usoro, Amaechi Obiageri, Aumba Ashley, Chioma Onyekwere and Olatoye Oyesade.