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Shocking revelation has Nigerian sprinter Divine Oduduru confessing to multiple suicide attempts amid his six-year doping ban controversy.
Nigerian 200m record holder Divine Oduduru has confessed to attempting suicide four times following his six-year ban from athletics by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The ban was imposed after Oduduru was found guilty of two Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs): possession of prohibited substances and attempted use of a prohibited substance or method.
The 27-year-old sprinter, who was also ordered to pay $3,000 (Ksh 390,000) to World Athletics for expenses related to the case, shared his deeply emotional journey in a statement on social media.
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Oduduru revealed how the shock of the ruling, combined with the stigma and personal pain, led him to moments of despair.
“Thanks to everyone, to my lovely fans who have been supporting me right from the beginning of my career. I know a lot of you have been waiting to hear from me about the issue that happened. I have been quiet all this time due to my mental health,” Oduduru wrote on Instagram.
He went on to recount the harrowing lows he faced. “I attempted suicide four times, just wanted to end everything, because all these things that happened is still a shock to me. After all the years of sacrifice.”
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Oduduru’s ordeal began when his name surfaced during the investigation into Eric Lira, a self-described naturopathic therapist based in El Paso, Texas.
Lira became the first person to plead guilty under the US Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act for distributing performance-enhancing drugs to athletes ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Lira was also linked to Blessing Okagbare, another prominent Nigerian sprinter, who received an 11-year ban for doping offenses.
Although the AIU accused Oduduru of having connections to Lira, the sprinter has consistently denied these claims, insisting he did not know Lira and that Okagbare did not act as a go-between for him.
Despite his protests, the ban has irrevocably impacted his career and personal life.
For Oduduru, the fallout was more than just professional—it was deeply personal.
“I lost everything I worked for, everything I dreamed of. The thought of not being able to compete again, the feeling of being labeled guilty for something I didn’t do, it crushed me,” he shared in his social media post.
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The sprinter’s confession has brought to light the mental health struggles athletes face when their careers are jeopardized.
Oduduru’s account of attempting to take his own life four times is a stark reminder of the pressures and vulnerabilities athletes endure in the high-stakes world of elite sports.
“I will be granting interviews, and I am working on coming live on my Instagram to tell my side of what happened,” Oduduru announced, signaling his readiness to publicly address the allegations and share his story in greater depth.
The revelations have drawn widespread sympathy and support from fans and fellow athletes, many of whom have taken to social media to encourage the sprinter to keep fighting.
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Oduduru’s message concluded with an emotional note to his supporters.
“To my lovely fans who have stood by me, thank you. Your support has been a light in my darkest hours. I will keep pushing forward, not just for myself, but for all of you who believe in me.”
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