Anxiety as Nigeria risks ban from Olympics over anti-doping, non-compliance

Three international lawyers, others arrive Switzerland

There is anxiety in the air, particularly in the Sports Ministry and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), ahead of the July 12 final judgment by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on allegations by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that the country is non-compliant with the anti-doping code.

In February, this year, WADA referred the war against drugs case against Nigeria and Venezuela to CAS. The body had earlier in November last year sanctioned both countries for failing to address “critical requirements.”

The Guardian learnt, yesterday, that the CAS final judgement will be delivered on Friday, July 12. The allegations of non-compliance and the consequences are expected to take effect on Nigeria immediately CAS makes its ruling on July 12. If Nigeria is found guilty, the punishments recommended by WADA’s Compliance Review Committee state that the country’s flag will not be flown at the Paris Olympic Games and other competitions. The country will also be ineligible to host any major sporting events until reinstatement conditions are met.

A source close to the Sports Ministry told The Guardian, yesterday, that the country has hired the services of three international lawyers to defend the country at the July 12 judgement by CAS.

According to the source, the three lawyers and some top officials from both the Sports Ministry and other agencies of the government have left the country and already in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“If we lose this case, the consequences will be too embarrassing to Nigeria,” the source said. “It will mean our athletes going to the Paris Olympics cannot compete in the name of Nigeria. They will be registered individually, and if any of our athletes should win gold, Nigeria’s national anthem will not be played, and our nation’s flag will not be raised. What will be the essence of participating in the Paris Olympics then?

“Nigeria has been in category A on WADA list of countries with a high number of athletes with anti-doping cases for some time now. We are praying and hoping that CAS’ final judgement on July 12 will favour us so that our athletes will be in good spirits in their training tour in Germany ahead of the Paris Olympics,” the source added.

No official of the Sports Ministry was ready to commit to the issue, yesterday. However, a top official of the NOC said: “It is a very sensitive issue and we are praying and hoping for a favourable judgement from CAS.”