The Nigerian sprinter who won the womens 100 meters has failed a doping test in yet another setback for the Commonwealth Games. In what has become almost inevitable at multi-sports events, Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell on Monday announced the first positive doping case of the New Delhi Games, saying Osayomi Oludamola tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylexanemine and could be stripped of her gold medal.
The New Delhi event has been plagued by problems with ticketing, near-empty stadiums, stomach illnesses affecting some swimmers, construction delays and filthy conditions in the athletes village before the games began. Fennell said Oludamola has been notified of the adverse finding and had requested the testing of the "B" sample. A Federal Court hearing involving Fennell, lawyers and World Anti-Doping Agency observers was to be held later Monday.
"So far we have not been officially told about this by the Commonwealth Games Federation, but if the allegations are true its most unfortunate for us," Nigerias chef-de-mission Elias Gora told The Associated Press. "Im disappointed and Im sure people back home will also be disappointed, too." Fennell said today that he was uncertain what effect the positive test would have on the games.
"Any positive test, whether it is in a high-profile event or not, is something that is very much regretted for a clean games, clean sport and a clean competition," Fennell said, adding that no decision had been made on the medals. "One doesnt know what kind of damage will occur as the result of this test but we just want to let everyone know that we are very vigilant and the testing and laboratory analysis is of the highest standards." Fennel said more than 900 doping tests had been conducted to date at the games.