(Reuters) – UK Athletics technical director Stephen Maguire said Chijindu Ujah will be considered for selection after his 22-month doping ban expires but added that it would be hard for the sprinter to return to Britain’s 4x100m team.
(Reuters) – UK Athletics technical director Stephen Maguire said Chijindu Ujah will be considered for selection after his 22-month doping ban expires but added that it would be hard for the sprinter to return to Britain’s 4x100m team.
Ujah was provisionally suspended after prohibited substances Ostarine and S-23 were detected in his A and B samples following the men’s 4x100m relay final at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Ujah and his team mates were stripped of their silver medal in February.
Earlier this week, the Athletics Integrity Unit cleared Ujah of intentionally taking the substances and issued the ban, which will be in force until June 5 2023.
“If (Ujah) is available to compete we will select him,” Maguire told British media on Thursday. “I haven’t spoken to CJ in a couple of years. He made a mistake and that’s clear, I need to see what the environment is like.”
Maguire said everyone would have to be “on the same page” if Ujah is to be reintegrated into the team and that there were several factors to be considered.
“It’s about trust, behaviour and understanding the team aspect. I need to see what the environment is like.”
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Doping in athletics refers to the use of prohibited substances or methods to enhance performance in sports, which is against the rules set by governing bodies like the Athletics Integrity Unit.
A doping ban is a suspension imposed on an athlete after testing positive for banned substances, preventing them from competing in sports for a specified period.
The 4x100m relay is a track and field event where teams of four runners each sprint 100 meters, passing a baton to each other to complete the race.
The Athletics Integrity Unit is an independent body responsible for ensuring fair play in athletics by enforcing anti-doping regulations and investigating violations.
Explore more articles in the Top Stories category
