Nigerian Paralympic champion, Oyema gets 4-year ban, loses medal

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned former Paralympic champion Para powerlifter Esther Oyema for four years after she committed an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).

A prohibited substance named 19-norandrosterone, was found in a urine sample she provided on January 28, 2019, after the Lagos 2019 International Para Powerlifting Competition in Nigeria.

Oyema, who won the gold at London 2012 in the women’s 48kg, will now be ineligible for competition for four years from May 3, 2019 to May 2, 2023, thus missing the opportunity of Tokyo 2020.

She has also been stripped of the gold medal which she won in the women’s 55kg competition in Lagos, together with any points and prizes.