Paris 2024 Olympics: Nigerian boxer banned after testing positive to banned substance

Nigerian lightweight boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore has been provisionally suspended by the International Testing Agency (ITA).

The ban became necessary after Ogunsemilore tested positive for a banned substance, dealing a significant blow to Team Nigeria’s Olympic hopes.

The ITA announced the suspension on Saturday, revealing that Ogunsemilore tested positive for furosemide.

The substance is a diuretic on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list.

The test was conducted during an out-of-competition doping control on Thursday.

“The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Anti-Doping Rules,” the ITA stated.

As a result, Ogunsemilore is barred from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

This suspension is a major setback for Nigeria’s boxing team, which had high hopes for Ogunsemilore’s performance.