Exclusive: The Doping Allegations, Heartbreak, and Comeback of Tobi Amusan

Tobi Amusan’s journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics was overshadowed by controversy and heartache. Just months before the Games, the world record holder was accused of missing doping tests, leading to widespread speculation and intense scrutiny.  

For Tobi’s family, particularly her mother, it was a period of immense pain, fear, and uncertainty. Though she was eventually cleared just days before the Olympics, the damage had been done; physically, mentally, and emotionally. The weight of the allegations affected her performance on the track, culminating in a disappointing outing at the Games.  

In this exclusive with SportsBoom.com, Tobi Amusan’s mother shares the untold truth behind the accusations, the toll it took on her daughter, and the unwavering faith that kept them strong through the storm.  

She Never Ran Away: The Truth Behind the Allegations

The moment news broke that Tobi Amusan was under investigation for missing three doping tests, the narrative quickly shifted to one of guilt. 

Rumours swirled, questioning whether the Nigerian star had something to hide. But for her mother, the accusation was not just shocking; it was deeply painful.  

"So it was all over the world. Probably, she ran away. Why? As an athlete, she's supposed to know this, she's supposed to know that. Somebody that was inside the house all along."

"She has never run away from a test. If my daughter comes to Nigeria and wants to go to Lagos, she informs them. They can come for a test anytime; they must know her whereabouts."

"How can somebody be in the house, sleeping, and someone comes without knocking, without making an attempt to get in, and then assumes she is outside, running away from a test?"

She described the pain of watching her daughter’s integrity being questioned and the trauma it inflicted on the entire family.  

"The trauma… it's only God that kept me alive. People were calling me from all over the world, saying, 'When this matter is settled, may you not lose your life.' I was accused of things I did not do."

"If my daughter had not been cleared, they would have said I had dabbled in things beyond prayers. But I knew my daughter. She won’t even take paracetamol without seeing a doctor first."  

The Struggle for Recognition

Beyond the allegations, Amusan’s mother believes her daughter was unfairly targeted because of where she comes from. She recalled a moment of heartbreak when Tobi was denied entry to a competition because of the controversy.  

"It was a very trying time for her. She was so lean. She had a competition to attend, but they said she had been banned. My daughter came back, weeping. I could not sleep for three days. But her coach and manager told her to stay strong."

Despite the turmoil, Tobi travelled for another race in Sicily and won. Yet, her mother believes that scepticism still surrounded her.  

"They were still not satisfied because they believe that nothing good can come from Nigeria. But God vindicated her."

The Test That Almost Ruined Her Career

One of the most shocking revelations was the manner in which one of Tobi’s supposed missed tests was conducted. Her mother recounted how officials arrived at her daughter’s apartment but failed to follow protocol.  

"You know, when you go to someone’s house, you knock. If the door is not opened, you knock again, maybe even on the windows."

"The person who came for the test did not knock, did not do anything. Meanwhile, my daughter was inside, sleeping after strenuous training earlier in the day."

She further revealed that this was not the first time officials had acted suspiciously.  

"They came all the way from wherever, in the middle of the night, to do a test for her here. Not knowing that they had come earlier to survey the environment." 

"They will not inform you they are coming; that’s their rule. But when you get somewhere, you should knock properly. This woman did not knock."

Fortunately, home security cameras provided the evidence needed to clear Tobi’s name.  

"If not for the cameras in the house, it could have been another story entirely. But glory be to God. If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Aftermath of the Scandal

Being cleared just a week before the Olympics should have been a moment of relief, but the damage had already been done. The uncertainty, the emotional stress, and the public scrutiny had taken their toll.  

"The trauma of not knowing if she’d be allowed to compete was too much. She attended training, but mentally, it was hard. Even after getting permission to join her colleagues, the doubts never left her mind."

Her performance at the Games reflected her struggles.  

"The performance at Olympics weighed her down greatly. She’s not happy; it weighed her down, down, down. She doesn’t even know what really happened there. It has never happened before. But glory be to God, she is still alive."

Failure Today Is Not Failure Forever

Despite the disappointment, Amusan’s mother remains hopeful. She believes that her daughter’s setback is only a stepping stone to greater success.  

"Failure today is not failure forever. If one fails now, it just means you should strive harder to make it another time."

Tobi has wasted no time in bouncing back, dedicating herself to intense training.  

"She is currently in a training camp, focusing on herself. We barely have time for conversations because she is so dedicated to getting back to her best form. But I know she will rise again."

This experience has changed Amusan forever. It has also highlighted the challenges athletes face when their integrity is questioned. Moving forward, her mother hopes that lessons will be learned; not just by her daughter but by the global athletics community.  

"They tried to pull her down, but God had her back. This experience has taught us a lot. We now know that even when you do good, people will try to bring you down. But with faith, resilience, and hard work, you can always rise again."

For Tobi Amusan, the journey is far from over. The world has not seen the last of Nigeria’s golden girl.