Nigerian sprinter Osayomi Oludamola, who clinched the gold medal in the women's 100 meters in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, failed a doping test thus raising speculations about her being stripped of the medal.
She was tested positive for Methylexanemine, a stimulant that has been banned by the global anti-doping bodies for its performance enhancing effects.
Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell said Oludamola had requested the testing of the "B" sample after she was notified of the positive results of the first sample. The matter will be discussed in a federal court hearing later on Monday where Fennell, lawyers and World Anti-Doping Agency observers will participate.
More than 900 doping tests had been conducted at the Delhi games but only Oludamola's sample has been tested positive to date. Fennell said that no decision has been made on the medals yet but reiterated strong action against the culprits. Doping tests have improved over the years and now come with almost 99.99% accuracy.
The doping scandal comes on the heels of a number of controversies and construction delays that threatened the delay or even suspension of the event. The Games started on a high but there have been issues with the residential facilities as athletes complained of filthy and unhygienic conditions. There have also been concerns raised by the swimming teams as a number of athletes fell ill after dipping in the pools.
The Games will end on Thursday where the Delhi
government has made arrangements to allocate seats for the street kids and
public school students in the closing ceremonies.
