CJ Ujah expresses shock over provisional ban

Nigeria-British Sprinter CJ Ujah says he is ‘shocked and devastated’ by his provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit over an alleged anti-doping breach.

Ujah, 27, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics as part of the men’s 4x100m relay team, was informed on Thursday of an ‘adverse analytical finding’ from testing that took place during the Games.

Ujah said in a statement to the PA news agency: ‘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 team-mate.

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

Ujah was found to have presence/use of prohibited substances ostarine and S-23, which are selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM) and help with building muscle.

If the case against Ujah is proven, the British relay quartet, also including Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, are likely to be stripped of their silver medals.

read alsoCJ Ujah gets AIU suspension may lose relay medal 

The AIU confirmed that Bahrain’s 1500m runner Sadik Mikhou, Georgian shot-putter Benik Abramyan and Kenya sprinter Mark Otieno Odhiambo have also been provisionally suspended following adverse tests.

Recall that the Olympics began with no fewer than 18 athletes declared ineligible to compete with Nigeria most affected with 10 athletes out. The issue was further compounded with provisional suspension of medal hopeful Blessing Okagbare for alleged use of banned substance.