Breaking: Nigerian Athlete Receives Three-Year Doping Ban

Nigeria's long-distance runner, Blessing Solomon, has been sanctioned with a three-year suspension after she tested positive for a banned substance during the Abuja Premium Trust Half Marathon, as announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

In a statement released from its headquarters in Monaco, the AIU confirmed that the 28-year-old athlete violated Anti-Doping Rules after traces of Trimetazidine were found in a urine sample collected on December 6, 2025, during the race.

According to the ruling, Ms. Solomon provided a urine sample during the competition, identified by the code 1701980. This sample was subsequently examined by a laboratory recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

On January 20, the laboratory reported an Adverse Analytical Finding due to the detection of Trimetazidine.

The AIU stated that it reviewed the findings according to the International Standard for Results Management, concluding that the athlete did not possess a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance detected. It also confirmed that there were no discrepancies in testing protocols or laboratory standards that could account for the positive result.

Ms. Solomon was made aware of the charge on February 5 and was provisionally suspended on the same day. The AIU indicated that the findings could constitute violations of Rule 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance) and Rule 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance) under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.

In her response, Ms. Solomon opted not to dispute the findings. On February 11, she communicated to the AIU that she would not contest the Adverse Analytical Finding, expressing uncertainty as to how Trimetazidine might have entered her system, insisting she had never knowingly used performance- enhancing substances. She also submitted a signed Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.

According to the rules, Trimetazidine is categorized under the WADA Prohibited List as a metabolic modulator (category S4), and it is banned both in and out of competition.

Typically, first-time violations for substances in this category result in a standard penalty of four years unless the athlete proves that the infraction was unintended. The AIU determined that Solomon did not demonstrate that the rule violations were unintentional, mandating a four-year period of ineligibility.

Nonetheless, athletes may receive a one-year reduction if they acknowledge the violation within 20 days of notification. Given that Solomon admitted the rule violation within six days of being informed, she became eligible for this reduction.

Thus, the AIU imposed a three-year suspension beginning from February 5, the date of her provisional suspension. Furthermore, it directed the disqualification of Solomon's results from December 6, 2025, along with all related consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance fees.

The ruling indicates that this incident is Solomon's first Anti-Doping Rule Violation. She has waived her right to have the consequences evaluated by a Disciplinary Tribunal through a hearing, thereby concluding the matter at the AIU level.

Details of the decision will be published on the AIU’s website, following their publication policies. While this ruling is final, the athlete, WADA, and the Nigeria National Anti-Doping Committee retain the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport located in Lausanne, Switzerland, as per the World Athletics Anti-Doping Regulations.

This sanction represents yet another challenge for Nigerian athletics, which has recently been under increased scrutiny for compliance with anti-doping regulations. Established by World Athletics to maintain the sport's integrity, the AIU manages tests, investigations, results management, and sanctions for international athletes across the globe.

For Solomon, the three-year suspension means she will not be able to compete until early February 2029, and her performance in the December 2025 event will be stricken from the records as the sport continues to enforce strict adherence to global anti-doping standards.