In the wake of receiving a three-year doping ban last week, Nijel Amos has announced his decision to sell Botswana’s first Olympic medal, the 800m silver he earned at the 2012 London Games, to support his family. The Athletics Integrity Unit imposed the ban on May 3 after detecting a banned metabolite, GW1516, in Amos’s urine sample during an out-of-competition test. Despite the severity of the ban, it was reduced from four years after Amos signed an admission, following the advice of his legal team.
Amos defended his decision, stating, “Given the circumstances surrounding the case, my legal team and I saw it fit to take that direction so that I get a reduction on my ban.” The banned substance poses health risks to athletes as it alters the body’s fat metabolism, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Expressing the financial challenges he faces, Amos revealed that his only investment is the iconic 2012 Olympic silver medal. In a press conference in Botswana, he shared his ongoing discussions with various stakeholders, including financial advisors, to explore ways to sustain himself and his family. Amos disclosed a potential offer of 4.5 million Botswana pulas ($339,750) for the medal, with the possibility of an increase to 7.5 million due to the release of his documentary on Netflix.
Amos, who secured Botswana’s first Olympic medal in 2012, emphasized his intention to return to the track after serving the ban, which concludes in July 2025. Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic about participating in the World Championships in 2025, stating, “I have no plans to retire. I am still in good shape, and I am hopeful that I will rise again in the World Championships in 2025.”