Paris Olympics: Favour Ofili misses 100 meters after AFN and NOC fail to register her

Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has been barred from competing in the 100 meters at the Paris Olympics due to a registration failure by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).

Ofili shared her disappointment on Twitter, attributing the issue to the administrative oversight of both organizations. She called for an explanation and questioned their reliability, stating she had prepared for this chance over the past four years.

She also highlighted that this incident mirrors a similar problem at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where funds for athlete testing were not provided, preventing 14 Nigerian athletes from competing.

Ofili’s frustration underscores a broader issue with the organizations responsible for Nigerian athletics, which could undermine their credibility if accountability is not enforced.

Nigerian athletes are set to compete in 11 events at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, spanning various sports including athletics, basketball, boxing, and more. Nigeria is currently ranked 9th among African countries in Olympic history, with notable achievements including Chioma Ajunwa’s 1996 gold medal and the U-23 football team’s historic victory.