Hurdles world record-holder, Amusan, charged with anti-doping violation

<p>Women’s hurdles world record-holder, Tobi Amusan, on Wednesday said she has been charged with an alleged anti-doping rule violation, casting doubt on her participation in next month’s world championships.</p>, <p>“Today the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months,” she said in a post on Instagram.</p>, <p>The Nigerian athlete set the current world record for the women’s 100m hurdles of 12.12 seconds at last year’s World Athletics Championships.</p>, <p>Amusan, 26, vowed to resolve the charges against her before this year’s competition, set to be held next month in Budapest.</p>, <p>“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships,” she said.</p>, <p>“I am a CLEAN ATHLETE, and I am regularly; (maybe more than the usual) tested by the AIU – I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test.’ I have FAITH that this will be resolved in my favour and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August.”</p>, <p>On Sunday, Amusan took part in the Silesia Diamond League competition in Poland, where she set a new meeting record of 12.34sec.</p>, <p>At the Golden Spike athletics meet in the Czech Republic last month, she finished in third place in the women’s 100m hurdles, losing to reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, who claimed victory in 12.42sec.</p>, <p>When asked by reporters about improving her world record pace, she said: “Nothing is impossible and 11 seconds? Most definitely”.</p>, <p>But she was less confident about an ongoing debate on raising hurdles to give priority to technique over speed.</p>, <p>“Don’t do that, don’t raise the hurdles. Please,” said Amusan, who is 5’1 (156 centimetres) tall.</p>, <p>AFP</p>