British sprinter Victoria Ohuruogu has been cleared of an anti-doping rule violation linked to her alleged association with her boyfriend, Antonio Infantino, who is serving a three-year doping ban. Despite the disruption to her Olympic preparations, the accusation against the 31-year-old British 400m champion was dismissed by a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) panel, lifting a significant burden from her shoulders.
“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 is now focused on qualifying 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 stated in a release that the outcome of the hearing, conducted before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), would typically remain undisclosed. However, they disclosed it upon Ohuruogu’s request.
Her long-term boyfriend Infantino, a former GB representative who competed for Italy at the Tokyo Olympics, remains banned until December 2024 following his failed doping test.
Ohuruogu came under investigation after being photographed training alongside Infantino by a reporter for The Times. According to anti-doping regulations, athletes are prohibited from working with coaches or other support personnel who are currently serving doping bans.
Despite her involvement in helping the British team secure 4x400m relay bronze at both the World and European Championships in 2022, Ohuruogu was excluded from GB’s quartet at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest due to the ongoing investigation. In her absence, Nicole Yeargin, Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, and Ama Pipi secured bronze in the relay event, while Ohuruogu missed out on the individual 400m final.
Furthermore, following British sprinter CJ Ujah’s 22-month ban for a positive doping test at the Tokyo Olympics, the entire British men’s 4x100m relay team was stripped of their silver medals.
Ohuruogu expressed her deep gratitude for the support she received during the challenging period. The allegation, its public exposure, and the subsequent media scrutiny have taken a significant toll on her life over the past 16 months. It has strained her personal relationships, deprived her of opportunities to compete in career-defining events, and disrupted her preparation for the Olympics.
The ordeal has led her to question whether she can maintain a private life or even spend time with loved ones without facing accusations of rule-breaking. While being fully exonerated provides some relief, she acknowledges that the damage caused cannot be undone.
Now, her focus is on moving forward, leaving this chapter behind, and dedicating herself to training rigorously for the upcoming outdoor season and, hopefully, the Olympics. She believes in the strength of the GB team and hopes to contribute to its ongoing success. She has chosen not to comment further on the matter.
