In the six days prior to the 2023 World Championships, which will take place in Budapest, Hungary from August 19 to 27, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is awaiting the Athletics Integrity Unit’s decision about Tobi Amusan, the current world record holder in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
After being provisionally suspended by the AIU last month for skipping three tests, Amusan’s chances of successfully defending the title she earned in Oregon last year are in jeopardy.
The world champion was not included on the roster of athletes who would represent the nation in the competitions, despite the fact that her name was on the entry list the AFN supplied to the World Athletics.
On Thursday, the World Athletics released her name among the competitors for the Games, but this was subject to AIU approval.
The hurdler is set to defend her championship after being cleared by the AIU, according to AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku.
“We are waiting for the ruling of the AIU and it will be before the start of the championship. Once she is cleared, we believe that she will compete. We believe in the next six days, we should get the ruling,” Onikeku told Punch
The 26 athletes who would compete for their nation at the games, he added, would not camp out but rather congregate in Budapest to complete their preparations.
“The athletes are converging on Budapest already. Every preparation has been going on and they will mostly be doing relay practices. Most of them have their personal coaches which we allow them to train with. Everyone will be in Budapest days before the competition starts.”