Tobi Amusan, the world champion and world record holder in the 100m hurdles, has been cleared to race at this month’s world championships after a case of missing drug tests.
A disciplinary tribunal found that Amusan did not commit an anti-doping rule violation and her provisional suspension was lifted with immediate effect, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit, which handles doping cases in track and field.
“AIU Head Brett Clothier has indicated the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is disappointed by this decision and will review the reasoning in detail before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline,” according to an AIU press release. “The decision is currently confidential but will be published in due course.”
Amusan, a 26-year-old from Nigeria, had been provisionally suspended last month while anti-doping authorities investigated a charge that she missed three drug tests in a 12-month span, which can trigger up to a two-year suspension even if an athlete never fails a drug test.
An AIU disciplinary tribunal was set to hear her case before worlds, making it possible for the ban to be lifted before the August 19 to 27 meet if she was cleared.
“I am a CLEAN ATHLETE, and I am regularly; (maybe more than usual) tested by the AIU – I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test,’” Amusan posted on social media last month. “I have FAITH that this will be resolved in my favor and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August.”
This season, Amusan ranks second in the world by best time (12.34) behind Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico (12.31).
The first round of the 100m hurdles will be held on Tuesday.