Nijel Amos plans to sell his 2012 Olympic silver medal to support his family after his drugs ban ©Getty Images

Botswana’s first Olympic medallist Nijel Amos has decided to put his silver medal from London 2012 up for sale after he was handed a ban for doping offences.

“It has been a financially draining process," Amos revealed.

He plans to sell the silver medal won in the 800 metres at the London Olympics to support his family, but insists he is innocent and had only signed the admission reducing his ban to three years on the advice of his legal team.

"At this time, my only investment or pension is the famous 2012 Olympic silver medal," Amos said.

"I am in touch with different stakeholders, including financial advisors, on how that can sustain me and my family."

He claimed that a potential buyer has offered a sum around $300,000 (£236,715/€272,817).

Nijel Amos won silver in the men's 800 metres final at London 2012 behind David Rudisha of Kenya in one of the greatest races of the modern era ©Getty Images
Nijel Amos won silver in the men's 800 metres final at London 2012 behind David Rudisha of Kenya in one of the greatest races of the modern era ©Getty Images

Amos suggested that the release of a Netflix documentary might double the amount offered.

"It is extremely difficult to survive as an athlete in Botswana where we are not given pension or any lump sum insurance payouts," Amos added.

He was suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) last July, after an out of competition test before the World Athletics Championships detected banned metabolite GW1516 in his sample.

His results after June 4 2022 were annulled.

"I am very much aware that the ruling made by AIU brings shame to the nation," Amos added.

Nijel Amos turned the tables on David Rudisha to win 800m gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ©Getty Images
Nijel Amos turned the tables on David Rudisha to win 800m gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ©Getty Images

"I would like to humbly apologise to my beloved country, its citizens, fellow athletes and athletic bodies in the country.

"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.

"However, I am of the belief that if I had support from my native sports bodies, we would be facing a different outcome."

In the 2012 Olympics race, an 18-year-old Amos finished second in 1min 41.73sec behind a world record 1:40.91 by Kenya's David Rudisha.

The race was hailed by London 2012 Organising Committee President Lord Coe as the highlight of the Games.

Amos won Commonwealth Games gold at Glasgpw 2014 over the same distance this time beating Rudisha.

He insists that he will not retire when the ban comes to an end in 2025.

"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," Amos vowed.