Athletics
Opobo Marathon winners to pocket $1,000
The winners of the 6th edition of Opobo Marathon scheduled for January 4th, 2024 are to pocket the prize money of $1,000 guaranteed by D’Consiglories Nigeria Limited & the Hope Initiative.
Henry Iyowuna Cookey, the Project Lead of Opobo Marathon with the theme Miles Of Hope, revealed this at a press briefing in Port Haercourt, where he also explained that there would be consolation prizes for the first ten runners-up and an indigenous category for the top three Opobo indigenes.
While disclosing that the previous editions of the marathon have had a cumulative total of more than 8,000 participants that included elite and fun runners, fitness enthusiasts, gym instructors and enthusiastic spectators from all works of life, he stated that no fewer that 1,500 were expected to register for next year’s edition.
According to him, “Opobo Marathon has always been more than a race, it’s an embodiment of our aspirations, dreams, and the unity that binds us together. Miles of Hope serves as a reminder that no matter how tough the journey, the destination is worth every ounce of effort. It signifies our commitment to pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles, and striving for a brighter tomorrow.
“With a meticulously designed course that winds through the heart of Opobo, participants will experience the vibrant culture, rich history, and warm hospitality that Opobo Kingdom is well-known for. From seasoned runners to enthusiastic leisure runners, everyone is invited to take part in this inspiring event. After all, we are all winners at the end of the race.”
Cookey called on those willing to participate to note that the marathon, with free entrance, begins with registration between November 19 and January 1, 2024 via www.opobomarathon.com/register.
“In the coming weeks, we shall reveal more about the event’s highlights, and the various initiatives that will make the 6th Opobo Marathon a memorable and impactful experience for everyone,” he stressed.
The Project Lead praised the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom, HM, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja; Sody Peterside, MD of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku; Dr Dakuku Peterside, Hon Dax George Kelly, Mrs. Sotonye Toby Fulton, Sobere Diri, Alahaji Danu Nasiru, Mr. Blessing Fubara, amongst several other sponsors and patrons for their support towards the marathon.
Also speaking, the chairman of Opobo/Nkoro local government area, Enyiada Cookey-Gam who was represented by the Supervisor for Youths and Sports, Hon Solomon Jaja, while announcing the sum of N1m for various categories, commended the organisers of the marathon and assured that the local government was supporting fully to enable participants have a glorious event.
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan is the winner as the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS has rejected the appeals filed by World Athletics and WADA.
The decision confirms the decision taken by the World Athletics disciplinary tribunal finding that Tobi Amusan did not commit any anti-doping rule violation.
Here is the full statement of CAS.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeals filed by
World Athletics (WA) and by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the decision issued on 17 August 2023 (the Challenged Decision) by the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal (WADT) in relation to the hurdler Oluwatobiloba (Tobi) Amusan (Nigeria).
Accordingly, the Challenged Decision in which the WADT considered that Tobi Amusan did not violate Rule 2.4 of the WA Anti-Doping Rules (WA ADR) and that no period of ineligibility should be imposed on the Athlete is confirmed.
The Athlete was initially charged with committing an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under Rule 2.4 WA ADR following three alleged Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period.
In their respective appeal to CAS, WA and WADA had sought the imposition of a two-year period of ineligibility. The CAS Panel held a hearing on 19 January 2024. Having deliberated, the CAS Panel has issued its decision today dismissing both appeals. The CAS Panel unanimously acknowledged that the Athlete committed two filing failures but did not confirm the existence of a missed test, alleged by WA and WADA, which would have been the third Whereabouts Failure committed within a 12-month
period. Accordingly, the CAS Panel concluded that the Athlete did not commit an ADRV and that the Challenged Decision should be confirmed.
The reasoned award will be published by CAS unless the parties request confidentiality.
Nigeria’s Paris 2024 medal hopeful, Tobi Amusan has been cleared as the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has dismissed the appeal filed by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the World Athletics.
She is therefore cleared to feature at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Amusan is the 100m hurdles world record holder.
The athlete was charged in July last year with missing three anti-doping tests in 12 months but was cleared of the offence by the Disciplinary Tribunal of the sport’s governing body, World Athletics.
The Integrity Unit of the World Athletics appealed the clearance which has now been dismissed by CAS, the final arbiter in the case.
CAS in its statement remarked that its panel “unanimously acknowledged that the athlete committed two filing failures but did not confirm the existence of a missed test, alleged by WA and WADA, which would have been the third Whereabouts Failure committed within 12 months.”
Amusan set the world record of 12.12 seconds in the world championships in Eugene, Oregon, in July 2022 and went on to win the title.
She finished sixth in the world championships in Budapest last year.
World Athletics’ anti-doping rules say any athlete failing to declare their whereabouts for a doping test on three occasions over 12 months is ineligible to compete for two years.
An elated Nigeria’s 100m hurdles world record holder, Tobi Amusan has thanked God for her success in an appeal filled against her by the Athletics Integrity Unit of the World Athletics.
Had the appeal been upheld, ,Amusan would have has to miss the Paris 2024 Olymoics.
“It’s ALL GOD” Amusan said in an Instagram post alongside the court’s announcement.
Amusan, who broke the world record during her semi-final race at the 2022 world championships, is a hot favourite in her signature event at the Paris Olympics, which begin on July 26.
World Athletics and WADA did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
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