AFN finally drops  Ellenwood from team

Following persistent criticism by concerned Nigerians, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) yesterday finally decided to drop American Garfield Ellenwood from Nigeria’s track and field team to the London 2012 Olympics, scheduled to begin on July 27.

Many concerned Nigerians had petitioned the AFN to drop the American, who recently served a ban for drug offences. AFN Technical Officer, Yusuf Alli, said in Lagos yesterday that the American, who is a personal coach of 2012 African Championships 200 metres winner, Gloria Asumnu, was dropped following confirmation that he previously served a ban for dope-related offence.

“The American coach (Ellenwood) has been confirmed by the federation to have recently been cleared after serving a ban for complicity in a dope-related offence. For this, we cannot allow him to be part of our team to the Olympics,” Alli said yesterday in Lagos.