Commonwealth Games
Nigeria’s excuse of ‘lucozade drink’ rejected, England awarded Birmingham 2022 women’s 4x100m relay gold
England have won their 58th Commonwealth Games gold medal at Birmingham 2022 after the women’s 4×100 metres team were promoted to first place following the disqualification of Nigeria, who originally crossed the line first but have now been disqualified for doping.
It followed a positive drugs testing involving Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, who had run the anchor leg as Nigeria beat England by 0.21 seconds at Alexander Stadium on August 7, the last day of athletics at Birmingham 2022
The following month, Nwokocha was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for the use of banned anabolic steroids ostarine and ligandrol following a sample taken at Birmingahm 2022.
The Commonwealth Games Federation Court heard Nwokocha’s case in May where Nwokocha claimed that the adverse finding had been caused by cross-contamination after an unnamed team-mate drunk from her bottle of Lucozade while training at the Athletes’ Village, a defence that was rejected.
RELATED STORY: Nigeria stripped of women’s 4x100m Commonwealth Games gold medal- https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2023/07/14/nigeria-stripped-of-womens-4x100m-commonwealth-games-gold-medal/
“The Federation Court disqualified Ms Nwokocha’s results from the following events, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any points and prizes,” Birmingham 2022 announced on its website.
“The matter has now been passed to the Athletics Integrity Unit to determine any further consequences under their anti-doping rules.”
The England team Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Daryll Neita, along with Ashleigh Nelson, who ran in the heat, are set to receive their medals at a special ceremony later this year.
The decision means that England retain the title they had won at Gold Coast 2018 when Philip and Williams were also part of the team.
“I am delighted to become a Commonwealth Games champion from the 2022 Games,” said Philip.
“It’s truly an honour to represent my country and the Birmingham Games were so awesome with a home crowd.
“This means a lot to me, as it is my second Commonwealth Games Gold.
“I have been blessed to achieve so much in my career, and I can’t wait to achieve even more in the seasons to come. Competing in front of the home crowd was amazing, the support was incredible.
“I always say Birmingham is my second home due to my family ties to the Midlands, so it was really special and I loved having so many of my family and friends in the crowd.
“I will definitely make time to celebrate this achievement in some way, most likely with family and friends as that is how I love to spend my time away from the track.”
The Jamaica team of Kemba Nelson, Natalliah Whyte, Remona Burchell and Elaine Thompson-Herah will be upgraded to the silver medal.
The Australian quartet of Ella Connolly, Bree Masters, Jacinta Beecher and Naa Anang, who missed the medal podium at Birmingham 2022, will receive the bronze.
“I am grateful that we are able to get recognised as bronze medallists,” Gross said.
“I think they will react with some big smiles with some shock, it’s not every day you get told you are going to be a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.”
Commonwealth Games England’s President Dame Denise Lewis sent her congratulations to the team.
“They have demonstrated to the world the importance of clean competition and the value of upholding the principles that make sport a powerful force for positive change,” the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold medallist said.
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Commonwealth Games
Nigeria Steps Up Bid to Host 2030 Commonwealth Games as Delegation Arrives London
A high-powered Nigerian delegation has arrived in London, United Kingdom, for the decisive phase of the country’s campaign to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
The team is led by Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and the Commission’s Director General, Bukola Olopade, who are set to present Nigeria’s final case before the Games’ decision-makers on Wednesday.
Dikko had delivered Nigeria’s preliminary pitch last month, laying the foundation for this week’s crucial engagements. If successful, the bid would make Nigeria the first African nation to host the Commonwealth Games since the event’s inception in 1930.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly reaffirmed the Federal Government’s full backing for the bid, assuring the international sporting community that Nigeria is ready to deliver a world-class Games.
Only last week, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, joined other senior government officials in welcoming the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation team during their inspection visit to Nigeria.
Further demonstrating the administration’s commitment, the President’s Special Assistant on Public Communication and Presidential Spokesperson, Sunday Dare, is part of the London delegation.
Other members of the Nigerian contingent include Bid Coordinator Mainasara Ilo; President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel; Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa; five-time Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Mary Onyali; and current para-badminton world number one, Eniola Bolaji.
Nigeria’s 2030 bid is anchored on themes of inclusivity, legacy, and development, with promises to stage a Games that not only reflects the Commonwealth spirit but also creates lasting opportunities for sport, culture, and youth empowerment across Africa.
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Nigeria’s push to become the first African country to host the Commonwealth Games gained momentum on Tuesday as the National Sports Commission (NSC) received the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee in Abuja.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to secure the hosting rights for the 2030 Games, describing the bid as a landmark opportunity for Africa and a historic milestone for Nigeria.
Dikko stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has thrown his full weight behind the bid, highlighting it as a platform to showcase Nigeria’s growing influence in global sports.
“We are delighted to welcome the Evaluation Committee to Abuja as a sign of our seriousness,” Dikko said.
“President Tinubu sees the Commonwealth Games as more than just an event; it will be a celebration of Africa’s sporting passion and Nigeria’s role as a continental leader.”
Olopade added that Nigeria’s bid is built on four critical pillars—modern facilities, political will, private sector support, and strong public enthusiasm.
He noted that the Bid Committee, led by veteran sports administrator Mainasara Illo, has prepared a “robust document” to strengthen Nigeria’s case.
“With our preparations, engagements, and strong government backing, we are confident Nigeria can win the right to host the Games,” Olopade said.
Underscoring government commitment, the delegation was hosted at the Presidential Villa by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside nine Federal Executive Council members, including Minister of Youth Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
The visiting delegation, led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at the Commonwealth Sport, included Ann-Louise Morgan, CS Director of Sport, and Ezera Tshabangu, Regional Development Manager for Africa and Europe.
Nigeria’s bid, if successful, would make the 2030 Commonwealth Games the first ever to be hosted on African soil, fulfilling a long-standing call for inclusivity in the Commonwealth sporting family.
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Nigeria may have a major African challenger in the bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. South Africa is preparing to join the competition. The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) had announced a Nigerian bid in April. This follows the failed bid in 2007 for the 2014 Games.
The earlier bid was made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the amalgamation. This amalgamation joined the Northern and Southern Protectorates with the Lagos Colony to form Nigeria.
Sports Village Square has gathered that South Africa, through its Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), is making a bid and is merely waiting for cabinet approval.
The country intends to use the Commonwealth Games of 2030 as a dress rehearsal for the bigger Olympic Games.
According to the SASCOC president, Barry Hendricks, the 2030 Commonwealth Games hosting will be part of the learning curve for the Olympics. “… it teaches us what we can do over the next eight years to get to 2040.”
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