Favour Ofili, a key contender for Nigeria in the 100-meter race at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been ruled out of the event after the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) failed to register her.
Ofili confirmed the disappointing news on her social media accounts, expressing frustration over the negligence of the NOC and AFN for the second consecutive Olympics.
Having qualified for the women’s 100 meters by winning the national title in April 2024, Ofili shared her dismay at not being included among Nigeria’s representatives after four years of preparation. She stated, “It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter my name. I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what? To not be entered and compete at the Olympic Games because the responsible organization failed to register me?”
It is worth noting that Ofili was among 14 Nigerian athletes disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to non-compliance with out-of-competition testing requirements, as stated by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Despite this setback, the 22-year-old remains hopeful of winning an individual medal in the 200 meters and is optimistic that the NOC will register her for that event.
It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what? pic.twitter.com/eehuKziNaU
— Favour Ofili (@FavOfili) July 30, 2024
