British sprinter Victoria Ohuruogu has been absolved of any anti-doping rule violation related to an alleged prohibited association with a banned athlete.
The 31-year-old athlete had faced allegations of receiving coaching from her boyfriend, Antonio Infantino, who is currently serving a three-year doping ban.
However, a panel from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) dismissed these claims.
British 400m champion Ohuruogu expressed that the accusation had significant repercussions, affecting her Olympic preparations and causing her considerable distress.
“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 stated in a release that the outcome of the hearing, conducted before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), would typically not be disclosed, but it had been done so at Ohuruogu’s request.
Her partner, Infantino, who previously represented Great Britain but competed for Italy at the Tokyo Olympics, has been suspended until December 2024 following his failed doping test.
Ohuruogu came under investigation after photographs surfaced of her training alongside Infantino, taken by a reporter for The Times. According to anti-doping regulations, athletes are prohibited from engaging in professional or sports-related activities with coaches or other personnel who are currently serving an anti-doping suspension.
Although she secured silver at the Commonwealth Games and contributed to the British team’s 4x400m relay bronze at both the World and European Championships in 2022, Ohuruogu was excluded from the GB relay squad at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest last summer due to the ongoing investigation.
During her absence, Nicole Yeargin, Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, and Ama Pipi claimed bronze in the relay event, while Ohuruogu missed out on the individual 400m final.
Following British sprinter CJ Ujah’s 22-month ban for a positive test for two banned 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.”