Warren Buffett once said, “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” This aphorism may apply when doping control nabs a Marathon Majors Champion or an Olympic or World Championships medallist. But not here. Not with this one.
In this case, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that Nigerian distance runner Blessing Solomon has been suspended for a period of three years for doping.
She tested positive in-competition for the banned performance-enhancing substance trimetazidine. While she did not admit guilt, she did quickly respond with a reply that she will not appeal the decision. Otherwise, she would have received the standard, first-time offence of four years.
She tested positive on December 5 at the Abuja Premium Trust Half Marathon, which is held in Abuja, Nigeria. Her urine sample was sent to Lausanne, Switzerland, for testing.
Solomon holds a personal best of 2:55:10 in the marathon and 38:45.71 in the 10,000 metres event.
While her personal bests are admirable for the average everyday citizen, they hardly justify the effort of doping and the shame.
Trimetazidine is a metabolic anti-anginal agent used to treat chronic stable angina by improving myocardial glucose utilization and protecting heart cells from oxygen deprivation. It acts as a cytoprotective agent (fatty acid oxidation inhibitor) that helps manage chest pain, vertigo, and tinnitus. Common side effects include running slowly, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and tremors, while serious risks involve Parkinsonian symptoms.
