Victoria Ohuruogu cleared but says antidoping investigation ‘cost me great deal’
The British sprinter Victoria Ohuruogu has described her anguish at missing out on the chance to win a world relay medal last year after a 16-month antidoping investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.
UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) launched its case in December 2022 after Ohuruogu was photographed at a London track alongside her Italian sprinter boyfriend, Antonio Infantino, who is currently serving a three-year doping ban. Athletes are not allowed to work “in a professional capacity” with anyone suspended from the sport.
With the investigation ongoing last summer, British Athletics decided to pull Ohuruogu from the 4x400 metres relay team at the world championships for fear that her inclusion might put her teammates in jeopardy if she was retrospectively found guilty of an offence. The British quartet of Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, Ama Pipi and Nicole Yeargin then claimed bronze in her absence.
On Thursday, Ukad announced that all charges against Ohuruogu had been dismissed.
Ohuruogu, whose sister Christine won Olympic 400m gold in 2008, said the investigation had taken a huge toll on her personal and professional life.
“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,” she said in a statement.
“The allegation, its publication, and the media intrusion has cost me a great deal over the past 16 months has affected my personal relationships, cost me the chance to run in what would have been career-defining events (including in a world championship bronze medal-winning team), 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.”
British-born Infantino, Ohuruogu’s long-term partner, competed for Italy at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but was banned later that year for a failed drugs test. He told Ukad investigators he had retired from the sport and was completing his own workout when photographed with Ohuruogu at track in Willesden, north-west London.
Ohuruogu, 31, claimed Commonwealth 400m silver in 2022 and has won the last two British titles. She has also made the podium at world and European championships as part of the 4x400m team.
Her omission from the 4x400m quartet last summer came two years after the Team GB men’s 4x100m team were stripped of their Tokyo Olympics
silver when CJ Ujah, who was later cleared of intentional doping, was banned for 22 months following a positive test for two prohibited substances.
In a statement, UK Anti-Doping said: “The outcome of this case would not ordinarily be publicly disclosed, in accordance with the applicable confidentiality rules to which Ukad is subject.
“However, at Ms Ohuruogu’s request and with her consent, Ukad is confirming the outcome of the charge against her, to put an end to any further speculation regarding Ms Ohuruogu’s eligibility to participate in sport.”