3rd Nigerian fails dope test

New Delhi - Nigerian 400m runner Folashade Abugan, who won two silver medals at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, has failed a drugs test and been disqualified, the Games' federation said on Friday.

She is the third Nigerian to fail doping tests at the Delhi event, which finished on Thursday, after 110m hurdler Samuel Okon and women's 100m gold medallist Osayemi Oludamola also tested positive for stimulants.

"The Federation Court has determined that Ms Abugan had committed an anti-doping rule violation," the Commonwealth Games Federation said in a statement posted on its website.

"Consequently, she has been disqualified from all events she participated in during the Games, with the results nullified.

"This includes her silver medal in the women’s 400m. As she was also a member of her country's second placed 4x400m relay team, that result is also nullified."

Abugan's 'A' sample was found to contain a type of performance-enhancing steroid, the federation said, adding that Abugan had waived the right to have a 'B' sample tested and had admitted her guilt.

Her disqualification means fellow competitors will be elevated into higher medals positions.

In the 400m, bronze-winning Aliann Tabitha Pompey of Guyana will be upgraded to silver and bronze will go to Christine Amertil of the Bahamas.

In the relay, the silver will be awarded to England and the bronze to Canada.

Abugan is the fourth athlete to fail a doping test at the Delhi Games.

As well as the Nigerian runners, Indian athlete Rani Yadav tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone.