IOC directs Team Nigeria to evacuate Ogunsemilore as CAS confirms suspension

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has directed the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to evacuate women’s 60kg boxer, Cynthia Ogunsemilore, from the Games’ Village immediately.

This follows the Court of Arbitration for Sports’ (CAS) confirmation of her suspension for spiking her system with banned drugs’ masking substance.

Ogunsemilore, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was suspended temporarily from the Games on Friday night.

The Nigerian appealed her suspension, which verdict was delivered by the CAS’ Anti-Doping Division yesterday.

A CAS statement, yesterday, read: “On July 25, 2024, the athlete was subject to an out-of-competition doping control for which an AAF was reported for the presence of Furosemide.

“Such substance is prohibited by WADA at all times and is classified as a “Specified Substance” under S.5 Diuretics and Masking Agents of the 2024 WADA Prohibited List.”

“The single judge of the CAS ADD held a hearing with the parties at 22:30 (CET) on July 28, 2024 and issued his decision later the same day, at 23:55 (CET), confirming the provisional suspension imposed by the IOC on Ms Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore on July 27, 2024 and continuing through the duration of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.”

In a statement after the verdict, Team Nigeria said it would cooperate with the IOC and any other relevant bodies to ensure Ogunsemilore is moved out of the Games Village.