Paris Olympics 2024: Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili barred from 100m event due to administrative error

Favour Ofili is a Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist.

In a shocking turn of events, Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has been excluded from the 100-meter event at the Paris Olympics 2024, despite having qualified for the race. The 21-year-old athlete, who won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, discovered on July 30 that her name was missing from the list of competitors for the event.

Favour Ofili took to social media to express her dismay, stating, “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.”

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The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) expressed surprise at the omission. AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku said, “We registered Favour Ofili for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. We don’t know how her name got missing in the 100m. This is our stand as a federation.”

This incident has raised questions about the efficiency and reliability of Nigeria’s sports administration. Favour Ofili pointed out that this is not the first time Nigerian athletes have faced such issues, referencing the previous Olympics where 14 Nigerian athletes were unable to compete due to administrative failures.

“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 Nigeria athletes that qualified to not compete. Now THIS…,” Ofili wrote.

Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024: Athletics schedule, squad, live streaming details

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, has promised a thorough investigation into the matter. He stated, “As Minister of Sports, I will not tolerate this utter recklessness.It is highly inexcusable, and there will be thorough sanctions after investigations into where and from whom this gross negligence originated.”

Despite this setback, Favour Ofili is still set to compete in the 200-meter event and the 4×100-meter relay at the Paris Olympics 2024. However, the athlete has called for accountability, saying, “If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organization can EVER be trusted in the future!”

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