Victoria Ohuruogu: British sprinter cleared of anti-doping violation for prohibited association
- Published
Two-time British champion Victoria Ohuruogu won Commonwealth Games 400m silver in Birmingham in 2022
British sprinter Victoria Ohuruogu has been cleared of an anti-doping rule violation concerning alleged prohibited association with a banned athlete.
It had been alleged the 31-year-old was being coached by her boyfriend Antonio Infantino, who is serving a three-year doping ban.
But this was dismissed by a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) panel.
British 400m champion Ohuruogu said the allegation had cost her "a great deal" and disrupted her Olympic preparations.
"I can confirm that an independent panel has emphatically dismissed the charge of prohibited association against me, finding that it was 'not satisfied, let alone comfortably satisfied' that I have broken any rules," said Ohuruogu, who has had her UK Sport funding reinstated and will aim to qualify for Paris 2024.
"I take my anti-doping obligations extremely seriously and am pleased that the truth of the matter - which is exactly as I have always maintained - has now been confirmed."
UKAD said in a statement the outcome of the hearing, held before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), would not ordinarily be disclosed, but it had done so at Ohuruogu's request.
Her long-term boyfriend Infantino, who formerly represented GB but competed for Italy at the Tokyo Olympics, is banned until December 2024 following his failed doping test.
Ohuruogu was investigated after being photographed training alongside Infantino by . Anti-doping rules state athletes must not work in a professional or sport-related capacity with coaches or other athlete support personnel currently serving an anti-doping ban.
The Commonwealth Games silver medallist also helped the British team to 4x400m relay bronze at both the World and European Championships in 2022, but she was left out of GB's quartet at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest last summer with the investigation ongoing.
Nicole Yeargin, Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning and Ama Pipi made the relay podium, clinching bronze, while Ohuruogu missed out on the individual 400m final.
When British sprinter CJ Ujah was banned for 22 months following a positive test for two prohibited substances at the Tokyo Olympics, the entire British team was stripped of its men's 4x100m silver medals.
Ohuruogu added: "I'm incredibly thankful for the support of those around me. The allegation, its publication, and the media intrusion has cost me a great deal over the past 16 months.
"It has affected my personal relationships, cost me the chance to run in what would have been career-defining events, and caused huge disruption to my preparation and training in an Olympic year.
"It has caused me to doubt whether I can sustain a private life or even be seen with those closest to me without being accused of breaking the rules. None of that can be undone by the fact that I have now been fully exonerated.
"I'm now eager to put this firmly behind me, get my head down, and train hard for the outdoor season and - hopefully - the Olympics.
"The GB team is very strong, and I hope to be able to contribute to its continued success. I will not be making any further comment."