Nigeria’s historic gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay at last year’s Commonwealth Games has been revoked following a doping violation, with the medal now awarded to England. The Nigerian team—Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Grace Nwokocha—had made history at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham by winning the nation’s first-ever women’s relay gold with a time of 42.10 seconds, setting a new African record.
The celebration was short-lived after Grace Nwokocha tested positive for banned anabolic steroids. Her violation led to the disqualification of the entire Nigerian quartet, casting doubt over their landmark performance. Consequently, the English team of Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams, and Daryll Neita, who originally finished second, have been elevated to gold medal status.
Nwokocha’s results in the 100m, 200m, and sprint relay events have all been nullified following the positive test for two prohibited anabolic agents. The case has been referred to the Athletics Integrity Unit for further investigation and potential sanctions.
This development underscores the ongoing commitment to fairness and integrity in athletics, as doping violations continue to threaten the credibility of competitive sport.
