CJ Ujah: Investigation should take place ‘without prejudice’, says GB team-mate Zharnel Hughes

Team GB's men's 4x100m silver medallists on the podium in Tokyo
Ujah (left) and Hughes (second left) were part of Team GB’s 4x100m relay silver medal-winning quartet

British sprinter Zharnel Hughes says he wants the doping investigation into team-mate CJ Ujah to be allowed to take place “without prejudice” – but insists athletes need a clean sport.

It came less than a week after he, Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake won Olympic silver in the 4x100m relay in Tokyo.

“Let the process run its course,” said 26-year-old Hughes.

In a post on social mediaexternal-link, he said: “I’ve not posted since the Olympics because of a situation out of my control – one I am not involved in, but may be impacted by.

“It would be easier to say nothing, but I think it’s important to say that as athletes we need two things.

“First and foremost, a clean sport. The authorities are there to protect sport – something every athlete needs for fair competition.

“We also need to ensure that athletes finding themselves under the spotlight must have a fair hearing in their case, without prejudice.”

Ujah has denied wrongdoing and said he is “shocked and devastated” after a drugs test showed the “presence/use” of two prohibited substances – ostarine and S-23 – which help with building muscle.

If the case against him is proved, the British relay quartet are likely to be stripped of their silver medals.

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