The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Thursday restated that it had zero-tolerance for performance-enhancing drugs and would punish any athlete caught.
The AFN Technical Director, Omatseye Nesiama, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that athletes who engaged in such act should desist.
Nesiama was reacting to the three athletes who tested positive at the 2015 African Games, adding that the body would take the issue seriously as the Olympics was fast approaching.
“I will continue to say it that AFN has zero-tolerance for banned substances and we have been holding seminars before and during competitions to enlighten athletes.
“We will be very strict when it concerns doping. The Olympics and some major competitions are fast approaching and we will not want the name of the country tarnished.’’
He added that the AFN would continue to enlighten athletes on the implications of using drugs, noting that they should also be mindful of what they take in.
“We will continue to enlighten our athletes but we cannot do it alone, the Nigeria National Anti-doping Committee has to come in,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the result of the Africa Games’ test was released in January 2016 and three Nigerian athletes in athletics tested positive.
They are Deborah Odeyemi, a sprinter, and Chinasom Amadi and Samson Idiata both long jumpers. (NAN)
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