THE GUARDIAN
The provisional suspension of reigning world 100m hurdles record holder, Tobi Amusan, is unsettling Nigerians, particularly top officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), as the Budapest 2023 World Championships draws closer.
Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) handed Amusan provisional suspension for three whereabouts failures. The Nigerian has dropped from third last week to 11th position in world ranking, as she has not been able to compete since she ran 12.35 seconds at the Istvan Guylai Memorial in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, on July 18.
An AFN official, who attended the Warri Grand Prix at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, on Thursday, told The Guardian that it would be a setback for Nigeria to go to Budapest without Amusan.
“It is a long wait for some of us in the AFN because we need Tobi Amusan in Team Nigeria’s squad for the trip to Budapest. But as it is now, the AIU has not met to discuss her suspension. We don’t know when the three-man panel will sit and the World Championship is fast approaching,” the official said.
The Guardian learnt that AIU has sent out letters inviting its members from various countries over Amusan’s issue, but no date was given. Another official, has however, advised the AFN to put behind Tobi Amusan’s issue and focus on its preparation for the World Championship saying: “Unless a miracle happens, I feel it might be difficult for Tobi to escape it.”
The World Championship in Budapest will run from August 19 to 27. Meanwhile, Long jumper, Ese Brume, who is still recovering from illness, has dropped from third in the long jump, last week, to sixth following the latest ranking released on Tuesday.
