Tobi Amusan, the reigning World 100m hurdles champion will get the chance to defend her title in Budapest, Hungary if she is cleared of her whereabouts failures, World Athletics has declared.

The world governing body for the sport has included the 26 year old in the list of athletes that will compete for Nigeria but her participation is dependent on if she scales the anti-doping rule violation charge against her by the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU.

Amusan was provisionally suspended by the AIU for three whereabouts failures last month and the Nigerian has decided to contest the charge.

The AIU said decision on Amusan’s appeal will be made before the start of the World Championships and the petite sprint hurdler will be offered the chance to compete if she is cleared.

Although entries for the championships have since closed on Tuesday but Amusan has been given an opportunity to defend her title if she is cleared.

The World Championships remains the only competition Amusan has not had the opportunity to defend after she successfully defended her Nigeria, African Championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Diamond League titles.

Also confirmed is Imaobong Nse Uko who will be making her debut in the championship and she will run in the women’s 400m event.

Others confirmed are Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Favour Ofili (200m), Seye Ogunlewe, Ushoritse Itshekiri and Favour Ashe (100m), Alaba Akintola (200m) and Ezekiel Nathaniel (400m hurdles).

The duo of Ruth Usoro and Ese Brume will compete in the women’s long jump while the trio of Chioma Onyekwere, Pamela Obiageri Amaechi and Ashley Anumba will compete in the Discus event while Oyesade Olatoye will compete in the hammer throw event.

The championships will run from August 19 to 27 and Nigeria’s contingent to Budapest will be seeking to add to the one gold, five silver and five bronze medals won by their predecessors from 1983. (The Guardian)

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