Nigerian lightweight boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore has been suspended after testing positive for a banned substance just before her opening fight at the Paris Olympics.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Saturday, that Ogunsemilore tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list, in an out-of-competition test conducted on Thursday.
“The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Olympic Committee Anti-Doping Rules,” the ITA stated on their website.
This suspension bars Ogunsemilore from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity during the Paris 2024 Olympics. She was due to compete Monday in the round of 16 as the fourth-seeded boxer in the women's 60-kilogram (132-pound) class.
Ogunsemilore has the right to challenge the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Anti-Doping Division and can request analysis of her B-sample.
This development further depletes Nigeria’s boxing team, leaving Adam Olaore as the sole medal hopeful. Dolapo Omole, another Nigerian boxer who qualified for the Olympics, had to withdraw due to injury days before the Games.
