Nigerian sprinter Divine Oduduru has publicly disclosed the severe mental health struggles he has faced since his suspension for doping violations, revealing that he has attempted suicide four times.
In a Facebook post, the 27-year-old opened up about his emotional turmoil, expressing gratitude to his supporters and hinting at future interviews and an Instagram live session to share his full account.
“I attempted suicide four times, just wanted to end everything, because all these things that happened are still a shock to me. After all the years of sacrifice,” Oduduru wrote.
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He explained that his silence since the allegations surfaced stemmed from his battle with these mental health challenges.
Oduduru’s career, once marked by promise as one of Nigeria’s fastest sprinters, took a sharp downturn in February 2023 when he received a provisional suspension for doping.
A subsequent investigation by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) resulted in a six-year ban, retroactive to February 9, 2023, and extending to February 8, 2029. All of Oduduru’s results between July 12, 2021, and his suspension date were also disqualified, and he was fined $3,000 for case-related expenses.
Oduduru’s case is connected to a larger criminal investigation involving Eric Lira, the first individual prosecuted under the U.S. Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act.
The investigation exposed Lira’s role in supplying performance-enhancing drugs to numerous athletes, including fellow Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare, who is currently serving an 11-year ban.
The AIU identified Oduduru as “Athlete-2” 1 in the Lira case, uncovering evidence such as WhatsApp messages, photographs, and other records linking him to the acquisition of prohibited substances, including human growth hormone (Somatropin) and recombinant erythropoietin (EPO).
These findings led to a two-year extension of his initial four-year ban due to “aggravating circumstances.”
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