By Milcah Tanimu

The heartbreak experienced by Tobi Amusan at the World Championships in Budapest has sparked an outpouring of support from Nigerians, with blame directed towards the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

In a tense final, world record holder Amusan was unexpectedly dethroned by surprise contender Danielle Williams, resulting in a painful defeat that left her in sixth place.

Despite facing distractions before the competition, including the specter of a potential ban due to a missed doping test, Amusan managed to secure her spot in the final with apparent ease.

Earlier, she had been accused of violating three Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRP) and was subjected to a suspension. However, a last-minute clearance from a panel of disciplinary tribunals enabled her to compete in Budapest, setting the stage for her participation.

Overcoming the initial setback, Amusan advanced to the 110m Hurdles final. However, her inability to defend her title and her subsequent sixth-place finish were surprising disappointments.

In response, Nigerians have rallied on Facebook to voice their unwavering support for Amusan. Many of them have expressed their confidence in her ability to bounce back from this setback while laying blame on the AIU for the challenges she faced in Budapest.