Bahrain’s 400m world champion runner Naser defends herself after suspension
World 400 meters champion Salwa Eid Naser was provisionally suspended for registering four “whereabouts failures,” the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Sunday.
The Bahrain athlete, who won gold at the World Championships in Doha last year, pleaded her innocence despite being suspended by the AIU on Friday for failing to make herself available for anti-doping tests.
Naser said in an Instagram Live video on Friday that she was not a cheat and that missing three drugs tests before the world championships “is normal” and “can happen to anybody,” according to an account of her broadcast published by NBC.
The Athletics Integrity Unit confirmed that Naser was already under scrutiny for three “whereabouts failures” prior to her world championship win in Doha in October.
That means that Naser could be stripped of her gold medal if she’s found guilty. She also faces missing next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
The Nigeria-born sprinter, who represents Bahrain, surged past Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo to win in 48.14 seconds, the fastest time since 1985.
AIU records show she wasn’t charged and provisionally suspended until this week. The AIU statement didn’t explain the reason for the delay.
Athletes are required to provide regular updates on their whereabouts to make it possible for anti-doping authorities to carry out surprise testing outside of competition. A violation means an athlete either did not fill out forms telling authorities where he or she could be found, or that athletes weren’t where they said they would be when testers arrived.
Three violations within 12 months can lead to a suspension if the athletes can’t justify why they weren’t available for testing.
Read more:
Coronavirus: Bahrain announces 389 new COVID-19 cases, similar to recent rise
Dubai’s State Security forces arrest leader of international crime ring
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports highest rise in infections with 3,121 new cases
-
Coronavirus: Bahrain announces 389 new COVID-19 cases, similar to recent rise
Bahrain announced 389 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, in line with its recent daily increases of around 300-450 new cases per day.The small Gulf ... Coronavirus -
Bahrain delays resumption of Friday prayers after hike in coronavirus cases
Bahrain confirmed it will delay a resumption of Friday prayers after the island Kingdom saw a rise in new coronavirus infections during the past week ... Gulf -
Bahrain allows Friday prayers in mosques from June 5, coronavirus tally at 9,977
Bahrain will resume holding Friday group prayers in mosques starting from June 5, the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments said on ... Coronavirus