Chika Amalaha

Chika Joy Amalaha (born 28 October 1997) is a Nigerian weightlifter.

Quotes

• When we achieve, we usually do so because others have helped. I acknowledge those who have helped in achieving this goal, especially, to God who has strengthened me spiritually, physically, emotionally, and psychological.
  • Dare Kuti, Nigeria lifters rake in 9 gold medals at Africa Championships, ACLSports, April 29, 2019.
• I started at the age of 12, but my family were strongly against me doing the sport at first. They kept me telling to stop doing it, but I persuaded them by getting a female coach. From then on, it was hard work, training, a lot of pain and dedication that got me here today. And now my family were in the audience and they are so excited and so proud.
  • Chika Amalaha fails doping test, ESPN, 29 July 2014.

Quotes about Chika

• We [have] issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an in-competition test. That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on 25 July. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
  • Mike Hooper as quoted in Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chika Amalaha fails doping test, The Guardian, 29 July 2014.
• The relevant processes, as detailed in our anti-doping standard for the Games, are now being followed and Ms Amalaha has pursued her right to have her B sample tested. This will take place at an accredited laboratory in London tomorrow, 30 July. Upon receipt of those results the process will continue.
  • Mike Hooper as quoted in Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chika Amalaha fails doping test, The Guardian, 29 July 2014.
• I am very disappointed that somebody as young as that (Chika) appears to have committed an offence at a multi-sport event like the Commonwealth Games.
  • Sir Craig Reedie as quoted in Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chika Amalaha fails doping test, The Guardian, 29 July 2014.
• The Commonwealth Games Federation has determined that Nigerian weightlifter, Chika Amalaha, has committed an anti-doping rule violation and has fully suspended her from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. As a result, Ms Amalaha has been disqualified from her event at the Games, with her result in the Women’s Weightlifting 53 kilogram competition nullified.
  • CGF as quoted in Nigeria’s Amalaha stripped of weightlifting gold, Reuters, 1 August 2014.
• I am rather saddened and disappointed this has happened to a 16-year-old (Chika). We will need to see if the 'B' sample matches the 'A.' Then if it does the girl will be removed from the games and it will be up to the international weightlifting federation to apply a sanction and then she would lose her medal.
  • President Craig Reedie as quoted in Chika Amalaha fails doping test, ESPN, 29 July 2014.
• Further to your (Amalaha) appearance today at the federation’s court (CGF) we hereby notify you that the court has decided that you have violated its rules through the use of banned drugs. The class of substances contained in her urine sample collected on July 29, 2014 are diuretic and masking agent as well as Hydrochlorothiazide. The court decision is that the following sanctions be imposed on you; that you are fully suspended from the 2014 Commonwealth Games. That you are disqualified from the 53kg weightlifting event within which you took part at the 2014 Commonwealth Games with all results nullified. That the gold medal and price awarded to you should be forfeited and returned.
  • CGF as quoted in CGF withdraws Amalaha’s medal over doping violation, Vanguard, 1 August 2014.
• It was unfortunate that Amalaha was stripped of the medal she won at the Commonwealth Games, I could recall that after she was warned against drinking Zobo after the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana last May where she won three gold medals, when we returned to Abuja for camping ahead of the Commonwealth Games, she still sneaked out to drink Zobo again.
  • Andrew Ekanem as quoted in Coach of 17 Year Old Chika Amalaha claims She Tested Positive to Drugs because of Zobo Drink, BellaNaija, 7 August 2014.
• It is sad it is a junior (Chika) and I hope they will learn from this experience. I think the international federation should look at it carefully and see whether there are mitigating circumstances when it comes to the sanctions. Being a junior obviously there must be some culpability from those that are looking after her, whether it is coaches or managers or doctors.
  • Prince Imran Tunku as quoted in Teen stripped of Commonwealth gold, ESPN, 1 August 2014.
• I feel very sad about this development and that is why I had to rush in from London to see our weightlifters. I sympathise abjectly with Chika. She is just a young girl, very strong and promising in the sport and did not deserve to be brought into this kind of situation. I blame our coaches squarely for her predicament. As I see it, the issue is about meeting the right weight and she couldn’t have accessed drugs all on her own. I understand she competed about three months ago in Mauritius and she won without drugs, so how come she used those drugs now? Even if she got them herself, it is the duty of the coaches to know whatever medications their athletes are using and to research to be sure if the drugs contain banned substances.
  • Ruth Ogbeifo as quoted in CGF withdraws Amalaha’s medal over doping violation, Vanguard, 1 August 2014.
• My biggest fear is how they will treat this little girl (Chika). She is strong and has passion for the sport but I fear that, as is the case in Nigeria, the authorities may discard her. I plead with them to console her and encourage her. She has a bright future and what happened is entirely not her fault. It is the coaches. The authorities have to find a way to make her forget about this incident and move on with focus on realising the place of her dream in weightlifting.
  • Ruth Ogbeifo as quoted in CGF withdraws Amalaha’s medal over doping violation, Vanguard, 1 August 2014.