Team GB 400m star Victoria Ohuruogu – sister of 2008 Olympics gold medalist Christine – is cleared of anti-doping breach after a 16-month probe and now targeting a place at Paris 2024
- Ohuruogu was investigated by UK Anti-Doping in December 2022
- Her boyfriend Antonio Infantino was then in the middle of a three-year drug ban
- An independent panel ruled that she had not been coached by Infantino and was acquitted
Victoria Ohuruogu is aiming for a place at the Paris Olympics after being cleared of anti-doping rule violations following a 16-month investigation.
Britain’s top female 400m runner was investigated by UK Anti-Doping in December 2022 after she was photographed with her Italian boyfriend Antonio Infantino at a London track while he was serving a three-year drugs ban.
Ohuruogu – the younger sister of 2008 Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu – was charged under the ‘prohibited association’ rules, which ban athletes from being trained by anyone with a drug ban.
The 31-year-old was subsequently withdrawn from Britain’s bronze medal-winning 4x400m relay quartet at last summer’s World Championships amid fears the team could be retrospectively disqualified if she were later found guilty of a doping offence.
However, an independent panel has now ruled that Ohuruogu was not coached by Infantino and the charges against her have been dismissed, leaving her free to participate in the sport.
Victoria Ohuruogu has been cleared of anti-doping rule violations after a 16-month investigation
An investigation had been launched after Ohuruogu was pictured at a track with her boyfriend Antonio Infantino while serving a three-year ban
In a statement, Ohuruogu said the investigation had “cost me the opportunity to participate in what would have been career-defining events and caused a huge disruption to my preparation and training in an Olympic year.”
She added: ‘I’d like to put this behind me for good now, put my head down and train hard for the outdoor season and – hopefully – the Olympics. The GB team is very strong and I hope to contribute to its continued success.
“I take my anti-doping obligations very seriously and am pleased that the truth of the matter – which is exactly as I have always maintained – has now been confirmed.”
Ohuruogu won a silver medal in the 400 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and reached the semi-finals of the past two World Championships.
UKAD confirmed in a statement: ‘Following an investigation and a full hearing before the Independent National Anti-Doping Panel, an anti-doping rule violation charge of prohibited association has been dismissed in relation to Victoria Ohuruogu and she is free to participate in sport.
The 31-year-old was withdrawn from the 4x400m relay last year ahead of last summer’s World Championships (pictured in 2022)
Ohuruogu is the sister of 2008 Olympic champion Christine (photo left in 2006)
‘The outcome of this case would not normally be made public, in accordance with the applicable confidentiality rules to which UKAD is subject.
‘However, at Ohuruogu’s request and with her consent, UKAD confirms the outcome of the charges against her, in order to put an end to further speculation about Ohuruogu’s fitness to participate in sport.’