The Athletic Integrity Unit’s (AIU) 30-day appeal period to challenge World Athletics’ removal of Tobi Amusan’s temporary ban expired yesterday.
This implies that the Nigerian, who owns the world record in the 100m women’s hurdles, can continue her career.
Amusan’s ban was removed two days before the World Championships in Budapest in 2023 by a three-man panel appointed by World Athletics to investigate the AIU action.
However, the AIU expressed unhappiness with the ruling and promised to thoroughly analyze the reasoning before determining whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the statutory deadline.
The AIU’s head, Brett Clothier, also stated that the Monaco-based organization would appeal the ruling. The deadline has passed. At the recent World Athletics Championships in Budapest, AIU’s David Howman informed reporters:
“We are concerned that it may set a difficult precedent for the future.”
Amusan is officially a free athlete after the deadline expired yesterday. She has already arrived in Oregon to compete for the grand prize in the prestigious Diamond League final.
It was unclear yesterday whether Amusan, who was born in Ogun State, will take legal action against AIU for the suspension, which hampered her preparation for the 100m hurdles final in Budapest in 2023.