The International Testing Agency reports that Nigerian boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore has returned a positive doping test. The result emerged from an out-of-competition check carried out in Paris on July 25, 2024, with the sample collected under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee. The confirmation of the result was shared publicly on July 27, 2024.
Following the positive result, the athlete was immediately notified and placed under suspension. Ogunsemilore is barred from competing in the 2024 Olympic Games, as well as from training, practicing, or taking part in any events connected to the Paris Olympics during the suspension period.
The Olympics commenced on July 26, with events continuing through August 11. The opening ceremony occurred on the Seine River on July 26. Media outlets provided ongoing online coverage of the Games. Athletes from Russia who competed as neutrals did not attend the ceremony, a reflection of the broader political and regulatory context surrounding the Games.
Since February 2022, the International Olympic Committee has suspended Russia and Belarus in response to the invasion of Ukraine. For the 2024 Games, these nations were allowed to participate only as neutral athletes, subject to specific eligibility criteria and qualification requirements. The IOC subsequently released a full list detailing the Russian athletes cleared to participate in Paris 2024, with a total of 15 individuals named on July 18, 2024.
In related developments, a Georgian athlete, aged 55, has previously tied an Olympic participation record through multiple appearances, highlighting the enduring pursuit of athletic achievement across generations. The broader narrative surrounding the Games continues to involve a mix of high-level competition, regulatory enforcement, and the ongoing evolution of Olympic participation rules for athletes from diverse nations.