Olympic Games Paris: Cynthia Ogunsemilore provisionally suspended for doping violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA) has provisionally suspended Nigerian boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore ahead of her opening fight at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after she tested positive for a banned substance.

In a opinion In the early hours of Sunday morning, the ITA announced that Ogunsemilore had tested positive for furosemide in an out-of-competition doping test conducted on Thursday.

Furosemide belongs to a group of medicines called loop diuretics (also known as water pills). The substance is given to treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling caused by heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or other conditions.

Furosemide is on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The drug is considered a diuretic and masking agent that can prevent the detection of other performance-enhancing substances.

“The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Olympic Committee Anti-Doping Rules pending the resolution of the matter,” the statement said.

“This means that the athlete will not be allowed to compete, train, coach or participate in any other activities during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“The athlete has the right to appeal the imposition of the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Anti-Doping Division. The athlete also has the right to request the analysis of the B sample.”

Ogunsemilore was scheduled to face Taiwanese Wu Shih Yi in a round of 16 bout on Tuesday.

This development resulted in the Nigerian boxing squad being reduced to one man after Dolapo Omole withdrew from the Games due to injury.