Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s gold medalist suspended for doping

A Nigerian athlete, Chika Amalaha, has been provisionally suspended from the ongoing 2014 commonwealth games in Glasgow, Scotland, for testing positive to banned substances.

The 16-year-old weightlifter who won a gold medal in the 53kg category was immediately subjected to a preliminary drug test which officials said came out positive.

The athlete’s A samples were said to contain both amilioride and hydrochlorothiazide, which are both prohibited as diuretics and masking agents.

Officials have however said that it would be too hasty to conclude without a second test ( B sample test) on the athlete.

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive, Mike Hooper, said: “We shouldn’t make assumptions at this juncture, but if she is found to be guilty she will be disqualified and stripped of her medal. This sets out a strong message that doping cheats will be caught.”

If found guilty, the athlete would be stripped of  her title and the gold medal would go to Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea, who had won silver.

Hooper also said: “We are talking about the A sample. The athlete has requested a B sample and that will come through tomorrow (Wednesday)”.