AIU ban: Promising Nigerian athlete provisionally suspended for 2-years over whereabouts failures

A promising Nigerian athlete has been handed a two-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) over whereabouts failures.

The 400m sensation Imaobong Uko, a student athlete at Baylor University, received the sanction for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months - a violation of anti-doping regulations.

Uko was provisionally suspended on July 7, 2024, and her ineligibility will extend till July 23, 2026.

The youngster rose to prominence at just 14 years old by winning the 400m title at Nigeria’s National Sports Festival in 2018. She also cemented her status as a rising star by clinching gold in the 400m at the 2021 World U20 Championships.

At the senior level, Uko represented Nigeria in the mixed 4x400m relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Her third whereabouts failure occurred just before the 2024 Nigerian Championships, where she placed third in the 400m. Since then, she has not competed and was notably absent from the 2025 NCAA indoor and outdoor seasons, despite remaining on Baylor University’s roster.

The AIU did not disclose the specific circumstances surrounding Uko’s missed tests, but the case underscores the importance of compliance with anti-doping protocols, especially for young athletes navigating elite competition.