Nigerian boxer suspended from Olympics for doping violation

Nigerian Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore was suspended from the Olympic Games in Paris due to a doping violation.

In a statement, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said the sample it collected “tested negative for the declared banned substance furosemide.”

The substance falls under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s category of “diuretics and masking agents” and the sample was taken on Thursday, the day before the opening ceremony in France. The results were announced on Saturday by the WADA-accredited laboratory.

The 22-year-old was supposed to box on Monday and has the right to appeal against her suspension. Ogunsemilore can also request an examination of the B sample.

“The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended pending resolution of the matter,” the statement said. “This means that the athlete will not be allowed to participate in competitions, training, coaching or any other activities during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.”