As the Budapest 2023 World Championships approaches, the provisional suspension of Tobi Amusan, the reigning world 100m hurdles record holder, has left Nigerians and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) officials unsettled.
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The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) imposed the suspension on Tobi Amusan for three whereabouts failures, causing her to drop from third to 11th position in the world rankings.
Since her impressive run of 12.35 seconds at the Istvan Guylai Memorial in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, on July 18, the Nigerian athlete has been unable to compete.
The looming suspension has raised concerns among AFN officials who are eagerly anticipating Amusan’s participation in Team Nigeria’s squad for the prestigious event. However, the AIU has not yet set a date for a discussion on her suspension, leaving uncertainties regarding her eligibility for the championship.
One AFN official, who attended the Warri Grand Prix at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, expressed the importance of having Tobi Amusan in the team and the uncertainty surrounding her suspension. With the World Championship fast approaching, the lack of clarity on the suspension’s resolution adds further pressure on the Nigerian athletics community.
AIU has sent out letters to its members from various countries regarding Amusan’s issue, but no concrete date has been provided for a decision. Another official has suggested that the AFN should focus on the team’s preparation for the championship and prepare for the possibility that Amusan might not be available to compete.
Meanwhile, Nigerian long jumper Ese Brume, currently recovering from illness, has faced challenges in her performance. Dropping from third to sixth in the long jump world rankings, Brume’s season has been inconsistent since her 6.81m jump in Chorzów, Poland, early last month.
The 27-year-old athlete has been unable to surpass the 6.7m mark and recorded her lowest jump of 6.07m at the Raiffeisen Austrian Open in Eisenstadt, Austria.
Despite Brume’s recent struggles, her mother, Adaka Sally, a former athlete herself, remains optimistic about her daughter’s potential impact at the Budapest World Championships.
The World Championship in Budapest is scheduled to take place from August 19 to 27, and Nigeria’s hopes rest on resolving Tobi Amusan’s suspension while supporting Ese Brume in her recovery and preparations.
The Nigerian athletics community remains on edge, eagerly awaiting the AIU’s decision, as they hope to see their star athletes shine on the world stage.
