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2nd Nigerian athlete fails drug test in New Delhi

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-13 08:10

NEW DELHI - A second Nigerian athlete has failed a doping test at the Commonwealth Games.

Mike Fennell, the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, announced on Tuesday that Samuel Okon, a finalist in the 110m hurdles last Friday, had tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylexanemine.

Osayomi Oludamola, the women's 100m gold medalist in this event, has asked for her B sample to be tested after it was announced on Monday that her initial sample had returned a positive for the stimulant. She could be stripped of her medal.

Fennell said the Nigerian team was investigating.

"We have already had discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian team, who are themselves taking it very seriously," Fennell told a news conference. "They are very concerned about it."

Okon will face a provisional hearing later on Tuesday.

The World Anti-Doping Agency recently loosened the classification of Methylexanemine for next year to the "specified stimulant" list, which covers drugs that are more susceptible to inadvertent use and can carry reduced penalties. Sanctions for use of the drug can be reduced if athletes can prove they did not intend to enhance performance. Penalties can range from a warning to a two-year ban.

WADA said Methylexanemine was sold as a medicine until the early 1970s and has now reappeared in some nutritional supplements and cooking oils.

Associated Press