Commonwealth Games
Nigeria’s excuse of ‘lucozade drink’ rejected, England awarded Birmingham 2022 women’s 4x100m relay gold
England have won their 58th Commonwealth Games gold medal at Birmingham 2022 after the women’s 4×100 metres team were promoted to first place following the disqualification of Nigeria, who originally crossed the line first but have now been disqualified for doping.
It followed a positive drugs testing involving Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, who had run the anchor leg as Nigeria beat England by 0.21 seconds at Alexander Stadium on August 7, the last day of athletics at Birmingham 2022
The following month, Nwokocha was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for the use of banned anabolic steroids ostarine and ligandrol following a sample taken at Birmingahm 2022.
The Commonwealth Games Federation Court heard Nwokocha’s case in May where Nwokocha claimed that the adverse finding had been caused by cross-contamination after an unnamed team-mate drunk from her bottle of Lucozade while training at the Athletes’ Village, a defence that was rejected.
RELATED STORY: Nigeria stripped of women’s 4x100m Commonwealth Games gold medal- https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2023/07/14/nigeria-stripped-of-womens-4x100m-commonwealth-games-gold-medal/
“The Federation Court disqualified Ms Nwokocha’s results from the following events, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any points and prizes,” Birmingham 2022 announced on its website.
“The matter has now been passed to the Athletics Integrity Unit to determine any further consequences under their anti-doping rules.”
The England team Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Daryll Neita, along with Ashleigh Nelson, who ran in the heat, are set to receive their medals at a special ceremony later this year.
The decision means that England retain the title they had won at Gold Coast 2018 when Philip and Williams were also part of the team.
“I am delighted to become a Commonwealth Games champion from the 2022 Games,” said Philip.
“It’s truly an honour to represent my country and the Birmingham Games were so awesome with a home crowd.
“This means a lot to me, as it is my second Commonwealth Games Gold.
“I have been blessed to achieve so much in my career, and I can’t wait to achieve even more in the seasons to come. Competing in front of the home crowd was amazing, the support was incredible.
“I always say Birmingham is my second home due to my family ties to the Midlands, so it was really special and I loved having so many of my family and friends in the crowd.
“I will definitely make time to celebrate this achievement in some way, most likely with family and friends as that is how I love to spend my time away from the track.”
The Jamaica team of Kemba Nelson, Natalliah Whyte, Remona Burchell and Elaine Thompson-Herah will be upgraded to the silver medal.
The Australian quartet of Ella Connolly, Bree Masters, Jacinta Beecher and Naa Anang, who missed the medal podium at Birmingham 2022, will receive the bronze.
“I am grateful that we are able to get recognised as bronze medallists,” Gross said.
“I think they will react with some big smiles with some shock, it’s not every day you get told you are going to be a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.”
Commonwealth Games England’s President Dame Denise Lewis sent her congratulations to the team.
“They have demonstrated to the world the importance of clean competition and the value of upholding the principles that make sport a powerful force for positive change,” the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold medallist said.
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Commonwealth Games
Scotland which beat Nigeria for 2014 Games may step in for ‘stepped-down’ 2026 Commonwealth Games
Scotland’s Commonwealth Games body has developed a “cost-effective” way to host the troubled 2026 event in Glasgow amid continued uncertainty over its long-term future. Glasgow beat Abuja, Nigeria for the 2014 Games which Nigeria had intended to use to mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of the nation state.
Nigeria became a geographical entity 0n 1 January 1914 when the northern part and Southern part as well as the Lagos Colony were amalgamated.
The 2014 Games were awarded to Scotland which is now likely to use the same facilities for the troubled 2026 edition following the withdrawal of Australian state of Victoria as hosts.
Glasgow commissioned a feasibility study in December. Estimates suggest Scotland could run the event for between £130m and £150m – with the potential to bring more than £100m into the economy.
Existing sports facilities like the Emirates Arena would be used again instead of new builds, and competitors would be housed in local hotels rather than an athletes’ village.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has said it will provide £100m for the chosen host nation, with the remaining budget funded by ticket sales and broadcasting rights.
The usual programme, however, would need to be cut down to between 10 and 13 events.
Malaysia has rejected an offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to uncertainty over costs and insufficient funding offered, its government said on Friday, in a major setback for the quadrennial multi-sport event.
Malaysia was asked to step in after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host, citing ballooning costs, with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) offering 100 million pounds ($126 million) in supporting funds.
Malaysia ruling itself out raises the possibility that the Games may not take place for the first time since being cancelled due to the Second World War.
The funding offered was not enough, officials said, and Malaysia could not commit to hosting the event at such short notice and with little time to assess the potential economic impact.
“If we had a longer time, we would definitely do it, but because there’s such a short time, we definitely can’t do it,” government spokesperson and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told a regular briefing.
“When we assessed the viability of hosting the Games, the length of time needed and the cost was seen to be particularly prohibitive.”
The London-based CGF did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on Malaysia declining its offer.
The youth and sports ministry said the 100 million pounds funding it had offered would not be enough to cover the costs of hosting a large-scale sports event.
“Additionally, the economic impact could not be identified in this short timeframe,” it said in a statement.
RELEVANCE QUESTIONED
The Games are typically contested by about 70 countries and territories of the former British empire and medals tables have in recent editions been dominated by Australia, England, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
Victoria’s withdrawal had already placed the future of the event in doubt and raised questions about whether a Games with colonial origins was still relevant in the modern era, and over its place in an already packed global sporting calendar.
The Games has struggled to find a willing host in recent years and five of the last six editions have been held in Australia or Britain.
The English city of Birmingham, which had been due to host in 2026, stepped in to save the 2022 event after South Africa were stripped of hosting rights over a lack of progress in preparations.
Birmingham’s move led to the CGF scrambling to find another host for 2026 and Victoria had been the only viable candidate after several other cities withdrew from the bidding process over cost issues.
The proposal had received a mixed response in Malaysia, which hosted the 1998 edition, due to concerns about costs and the lack of preparation time.
The Malaysian Olympic Council had this week proposed holding a downsized Games, with limited spending on athletes’ accommodations and smaller opening and closing ceremonies.
-Reuters
Malaysia has rejected an offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to uncertainty over costs and insufficient funding offered, its government said on Friday, in a major setback for the quadrennial multi-sport event.
Malaysia was asked to step in after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host, citing ballooning costs, with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) offering 100 million pounds ($126 million) in supporting funds.
Malaysia ruling itself out raises the possibility that the Games may not take place for the first time since being cancelled due to the Second World War.
The funding offered was not enough, officials said, and Malaysia could not commit to hosting the event at such short notice and with little time to assess the potential economic impact.
“If we had a longer time, we would definitely do it, but because there’s such a short time, we definitely can’t do it,” government spokesperson and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told a regular briefing.
“When we assessed the viability of hosting the Games, the length of time needed and the cost was seen to be particularly prohibitive.”
The London-based CGF did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on Malaysia declining its offer.
The youth and sports ministry said the 100 million pounds funding it had offered would not be enough to cover the costs of hosting a large-scale sports event.
“Additionally, the economic impact could not be identified in this short timeframe,” it said in a statement.
RELEVANCE QUESTIONED
The Games are typically contested by about 70 countries and territories of the former British empire and medals tables have in recent editions been dominated by Australia, England, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
Victoria’s withdrawal had already placed the future of the event in doubt and raised questions about whether a Games with colonial origins was still relevant in the modern era, and over its place in an already packed global sporting calendar.
The Games has struggled to find a willing host in recent years and five of the last six editions have been held in Australia or Britain.
The English city of Birmingham, which had been due to host in 2026, stepped in to save the 2022 event after South Africa were stripped of hosting rights over a lack of progress in preparations.
Birmingham’s move led to the CGF scrambling to find another host for 2026 and Victoria had been the only viable candidate after several other cities withdrew from the bidding process over cost issues.
The proposal had received a mixed response in Malaysia, which hosted the 1998 edition, due to concerns about costs and the lack of preparation time.
The Malaysian Olympic Council had this week proposed holding a downsized Games, with limited spending on athletes’ accommodations and smaller opening and closing ceremonies.
-Reuters
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