8 Nigerian athletes banned for doping

Eight Nigerian athletes have been banned from the sport for various doping cases.

Of the number, four won gold at last year’s All-Africa Games in Congo’s capital, Brazzaville.

Long jumpers Chinazom Amadi and Samson Idiata, weightlifter Elisabeth Onua and wrestler Patience Opuene were all banned after failed drug tests at the games in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in September, where they won gold.

Wrestling silver medalist Ebi James Igbadiwei was also banned.

The three other athletes, sprinter Deborah Odeyemi and para-athletes Sunday Ezeh and Thomas Kure, failed tests conducted in Nigeria, officials say.

In all, seven of the athletes were given four-year bans. Onua received an eight-year ban after multiple violations.

The West African country’s National Anti-Doping Committee said the medals won by the athletes will be sent back to the organizers of the All-Africa Games.