The Athletics Integrity Unit in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday 15 September 2023, announced that it has filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to upturn a decision the Disciplinary Tribunal took regarding Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan.
It is evident and interesting to note that the athletics body has refused to give up on pursuing Nigerian sprinter Tobi Amusan’s case to conclusion, as the AIU is all out to fight the verdict the Disciplinary Tribunal took on the matter in August, Pulse Sports reports
The AIU Statement reads: “The AIU filed an appeal last Friday (15 September 2023) with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision, dated 17 August 2023, that Tobi Amusan did not commit an anti-doping rule violation for Whereabouts Failures.
“The AIU will make no further comment on the matter until the conclusion of the appeal.”
Recall that in July, the then 100 metres Hurdles World Record Holder Tobi Amusan was provisionally suspended by the AIU for allegedly missing 3 whereabouts tests.
However, Tobi Amusan maintained her innocence and appealed and fortunately, her provisional suspension was lifted by the Disciplinary Tribunal, clearing her to compete at the World Championships in Budapest.
Meanwhile, the AIU was not pleased with the outcome of the Disciplinary Tribunal and vowed to appeal the Tribunal’s verdict.
These off-field incidents unsettled Tobi Amusan so much, and although she made it to the final of the Women’s 100m Hurdles at the World Championships in Budapest, she finished in sixth place.
Full of resilience and the ‘never-say-die’ Nigerian spirit, Tobi Amusan returned stronger and better for the Diamond League (Eugune 2023) and won her third consecutive 100m Hurdle trophy.
Following, many Nigerians have quickly thrown their weights behind Tobi Amusan on social media, berating the AIU for pursuing a ‘personal vendetta’ against the 26-year-old Nigerian athlete.
One @WesternKing said “Shame on you all. And you will surely lose. This is purely witch hunting and they need to investigate this people heading this AIU,” while @ontimesam said “That is your beef because your preferred athletes was schooled by tobi. Keep up with your distraction because Tobi will overcome.”
Also @AsiruAbbas said, “You will never succeed in bringing her down. You didn’t appeal the decision to clear Gabby Thomas, you also ban the Mexican athlete that tested positive for cocaine for just six months to show how biased you are. It’s time to come after AIU & expose all the cover-up doping cases.”
While @AManlikeKore said “Tobi Amusan is doing beyond their expectations, them don they vex! Leave that girl alone!”
Lanre Deola added “Just remove the integrity in your name. You all thought she’s crushed and now she’s back you’re appealing the ruling. She’s just 200m Nigerians and additional 100m SSA behind her. Epe Ijebu too is waiting for you guys.”
It remains to be seen how the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will rule on the appeal by the AIU.
