Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has expressed her anger and frustration at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) after being omitted from competing in the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ofili, who won the Nigerian 100m title at the Olympic trials in Benin to qualify for the team, will not compete in the event in Paris. According to Ofili, the AFN, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) failed to register her, costing her the opportunity.
In a statement, the visibly upset athlete condemned the AFN for its incompetence in supporting her Olympic dreams. “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 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what… to not be entered and compete at the Olympic Games because the responsible organization failed to enter me?” Ofili wrote.
Ofili also shared her experience at the last Olympic Games, where she was also unable to compete because the AFN, NADC, and NOC failed to release funds for athletes in the USA to be tested, resulting in 14 Nigerian athletes being disqualified.
“Please remember, in the last Olympic Games I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC, and NOC failed to release funds for athletes in the USA to be tested, which made 14 Nigerian athletes that qualified unable to compete. Now THIS… If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organization can EVER be trusted in the future! Next one is the 200 meters, I HOPE I’M ENTERED,” she added.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
