Nigerian long and triple jumper Goodness Iredia has been banned for three years after testing positive for a prohibited substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced.
The AIU found Iredia guilty of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) after his sample tested positive for 19-Norandrosterone, a metabolite of the anabolic steroid Nandrolone.
“The presence of the prohibited substance in the Athlete’s sample constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV),” the AIU said. “As a result, the Athlete is subject to a period of ineligibility in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code.”
Iredia denied knowingly taking the banned substance and suggested it may have come from contaminated supplements. However, the AIU ruled that he failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claim.
“Athletes are responsible for what is found in their system,” the AIU stated. “The AIU carefully reviewed the Athlete’s submissions and supporting documents but found no substantial proof of contamination or unintentional ingestion.”
With this ruling, Iredia is barred from competing until his suspension ends. His results from the date of the positive test have also been disqualified.
“This decision serves as a reminder that anti-doping rules are in place to protect the integrity of competition,” the AIU added.
Iredia has the option to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).