The Nigerian Olympic Committee is waiting for the judgement scheduled for July 12 as to whether or not the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was to suspend Nigeria from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. At press time no decision has been heard.
The ruling is to address allegations by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that Nigeria is non-compliant with the anti-doping code. With two weeks remaining until the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the participation of Nigerian athletes is unknown at this time.
The CAS judgement could favour Nigeria or cause them to lose privileges, while at the Games.
CAS To Decide Hoisting Of Nigeria Flag At 2024 Olympic On Friday.
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Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Tunde Popoola has said there is ‘no cause for alarm’ ahead of the July 12 final judgment by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on allegations by the World pic.twitter.com/a5uKKQ45kG
Tunde Popoola, Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee said, “We have moved beyond the risk of failure. We have done virtually everything necessary, and it’s now up to the court. There is no cause for alarm, and we will continue to operate as expected. One thing is that the anti-doping committee is supposed to be independent and once we have done that and other necessary things, things will be alright.”
Nigeria has a team of lawyers in Lausanne, Switzerland for the hearing. The allegations of non-compliance was expected to take effect immediately for Nigeria following the CAS ruling on July 12.
If Nigeria is found guilty, the punishments recommended by WADA’s Compliance Review Committee include prohibiting the country’s flag from being flown in Paris.
This means Nigerian athletes will not compete under the country’s name and code. Should any athlete win medals, Nigeria’s anthem will not be played, nor will the flag be raised. Nigeria will be ineligible to host any major sporting events until reinstatement conditions are fulfilled.