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Nigerian Sprinter Favour Ofili Denied Entry from 100-Metre Race Due to Administrative Failures

Written by Jerry Alomatu on July 31, 2024

News Views: 223

Paris, France – Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has expressed her deep frustration after announcing she will not be competing in the 100-metre race at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Ofili revealed on Tuesday that administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) prevented her from participating in the event.

In a social media post, Ofili, an LSU Track and Field alumna, detailed her disappointment, stating, “It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what?”

The 21-year-old sprinter, who had qualified for the 100-metre event, has expressed skepticism about the reliability of both organizations, citing a repeat of issues faced during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She added, “Please remember, in the last Olympic Games, I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC and NOC failed to release funds for athletes to be tested, which made 14 Nigerian athletes that qualified unable to compete. Now this……”

Ofili’s post highlights a troubling pattern of administrative failures impacting Nigerian athletes. She has called for accountability from those responsible, stating, “If those responsible are not held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organisation can ever be trusted in the future!”

Despite the setback in the 100 metres, Ofili is hopeful about her participation in the 200-metre event. “Next one is the 200 metres. I hope I’m entered,” she remarked.

Ofili, who has been entered for the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 4x100m relay events, secured her place in the 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her recent accomplishments include being a Commonwealth Games silver medalist, an African Games champion, a former World U20 champion, and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion in the 200m.

The sprinter’s current world rankings are 23rd in the 100m and 52nd in the 200m, with her highest rankings reaching 13th in the 200m and 23rd in the 100m. In May, Ofili set three new records, showcasing her remarkable talent and potential.

Efforts to contact officials from the AFN and NOC for further clarification were unsuccessful. Ofili’s situation underscores ongoing concerns about administrative oversight and its impact on Nigerian athletes’ opportunities on the global stage.