The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) have announced the provisional suspension of 400m hurdles champion Glory Nathaniel after a positive test for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.
In August, Nathaniel won the 400m hurdles title in 55.53 seconds at the African Senior Athletics Championship in Asaba.
According to the Facebook page of African Athletics United, “the date of control was not revealed, but if it happened to take place before or in Asaba, the 400m hurdles medals may end up being redistributed, in case the disciplinary process leads to a sanction.
AIU said the Nigerian was sanctioned because of “Presence of a Prohibited Substance (Stanozolol) (Article 2.1)”.
On its official website athleticsintegrity.com, “Provisional Suspension is when an athlete or other person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.”
“In doping cases, a Provisional Suspension is mandatory under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules following an adverse analytical finding for any non-specified substance on the Prohibited List. A Provisional Suspension may be imposed in other doping cases depending on the nature and circumstances of the case in question.
“A Provisional Suspension imposed in a non-doping case does not in any way abrogate the presumption of innocence and it is not an early determination of guilt. Rather, it is an order made on a precautionary basis to safeguard the interests of the sport.”
