BNOC warns against engaging Amos
The Botswana National Olympic Committee ( BNOC) has issued a warning to stakeholders not to engage track and field athlete, Nijel Amos in any competitions or activities, as he is currently banned from all competitions under the 2021 World Athletics Anti- Doping Rules ( ADR). This warning comes after Amos was spotted at the Orapa Marathon Event, raising concerns about his involvement in the event. In light of this, the BNOC as the national anti- doping authority in Botswana - expressed deep concern about Amos’s presence at the Orapa Marathon Event. They emphasized that the athlete is still serving a three- year period of ineligibility as a result of his ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit ( AIU), an independent body responsible for managing doping issues in athletics. “In accordance with Article 10.14.1 of the World Anti- Doping Code ( WADC) on Status during Ineligibility or Provisional Suspension, Amos may not participate in any capacity in a Competition or activity other than anti- doping education until he has fully served his period of ineligibility coming to an end in
July 2025,” BNOC stated. The BNOC pointed out that according to the 2021 World Athletics Anti- Doping Rules, any athlete who has been declared ineligible or is subject to a provisional suspension cannot participate in any capacity in a competition or activity, other than authorized antidoping education or rehabilitation programs, during their period of ineligibility. This includes participation in competitions or activities authorized or organized by signatories of the anti- doping rules, such as national- level event organizations. “We wish to remind all stakeholders that as the body responsible for implementing the Anti- Doping Rules in Botswana, we are committed to discouraging any form of non- compliance with these rules. We expect all stakeholders to share this commitment and take appropriate action to ensure compliance with the rules. This is essential for upholding the integrity of the World Athletics Anti- Doping Program and protecting clean sport,” BNOC noted.
In July 2022, just before the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, Amos was banned from competing by the AIU, the body that manages doping issues in athletics. He has been on the side- lines since last year, the formal ban came into effect early this year and imposed a three- year period of ineligibility on the athlete, effectively putting an end to his hopes of competing in the athletics events. Amos later raised concerns about a lack of support from the Botswana Athletics Association, the BNOC, and the government, but his complaints did not lead to any changes in his situation. This is because, according to the World Anti- Doping Rules, an athlete serving a ban for doping is not eligible for any assistance or support from their national governing body or the international federation.