August 23, (After cruising through her heat at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Tuesday, Nigerian hurdler, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, faced questions from the media and it was not long before her recent ban for missed drug tests expectedly came up.
Irish journalist, Cathal Dennehy, asked Amusan to clarify the reasons behind the whereabouts violations that led to the ban, which was eventually dismissed on appeal. Amusan bristled at the question, telling Dennehy “I’m talking about my fans here and you’re talking about charges.”
When Dennehy explained he was referring to the whereabouts violations, Amusan cut him off, saying: “Mr Cathal, I am done answering your questions. You have asked the same question like five times now.” Dennehy replied that it was the first time he had asked about it. “Thank you,” Amusan tersely responded, ending the interaction.
While Amusan may have been frustrated by the question, Dennehy’s inquiry was seen as fair and relevant by many in the world of athletics journalism. He approached the sensitive subject after Amusan’s event, providing her a chance to clarify the ban for her fans.
Yet, the testy exchange indicates Amusan’s sensitivity on the subject and likely desire to move on from the ban controversy. However, the questions surrounding her whereabouts violations and dismissal of the ban persist. Amusan may face continued scrutiny, especially if an appeal is launched to reinstate the ban she dodged ahead of World Championships in Budapest. For now, she is focused on defending her 100m hurdles world title.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
