DOHA 2019: Oduduru, Okagbare cleared to run 200m after AFN appeal

Nigeria’s duo of Divine Oduduru and Blessing Okagbare have been cleared to run the 200m by the IAAF after a successful appeal by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Ripples Nigeria had over the weekend reported that Oduduru was disqualified from the 200m and that his compatriot also risked a similar fate.

The duo failed to start in the men and women’s 100m races respectively, with their names appearing on the start list – a situation that should rightly disqualify them from partaking in other events according to the IAAF rule.

The rule reads that “an athlete shall be excluded from participation in all further events in the competition, including relays, in cases where (a) a final confirmation was given that the athlete would start in an event but then failed to participate.”

Read Also: Oduduru disqualified at World Champs; Okagbare risks similar fate

Sources say there had been a mix up, as the AFN had properly notified IAAF that Oduduru and Okagbare were not going to participate in the 100m as they wish to concentrate on 200m and the 4x100m relays.

The world athletics governing body has now approved Nigeria’s appeal, reports the AP on Sunday.

On Saturday, Oduduru’s name was missing on the start list for the men’s 200m billed for Sunday (by 6:00p.m Nigeria time).

The NCAA champion out of Texas Tech will now run alongside fellow Nigerian, Emmanuel Arowolo in the heats by 6p.m.

Okagbare, the 2013 bronze medalist at 200 meters, is scheduled to race in preliminaries on Monday.

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