NOC, NSC To Educate Athletes On Doping

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) will collaborate with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to educate Nigerian athletes about the inherent dangers in doping, a top official has said.

NOC’s third Vice-President Tijani Umar said on Tuesday in Lagos that the collaboration became necessary because of the national embarrassment from the three athletes that failed doping test in India.

Tidesports source reports that Oludamola Osayomi, ,who won the 100 metres, hurdler Samuel Okon and Folashade Abugan in 400 metres were among the four who failed doping tests at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Umar told  newsmen that the two bodies would work out modalities to curb doping among athletes during competitions.

He said that after the federations had conducted anti-doping seminars for their athletes and officials before the Commonwealth Games, the country was witnessing the scandal.

“I am sure the two bodies will address the issue of doping severely because what happened at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games was a stain on the country’s image,” he said.

Umar said that athletes should only take drugs prescribed by medical experts

“Sincerely, I do not think doping can fully be erased among athletes because sometimes they need medications that contain such prohibited substances when they finish training and develop body aches.

“However, such drugs should be taken on a doctor’s advice,’’ he said.

The NOC vice-president advised athletes to desist from performance enhancing drugs and prepare adequately for tournaments so that they could be truly victorious.

Umar applauded the performance of the athletes in India saying that the country was endowed in all sports and encouraged them to be good ambassadors in any competition.

He assured the athletes that adequate preparation would be made toward a good outing at the 2011 All African Games in Mozambique.