Favour Ofili, Nigeria’s prospect at the Paris Olympics, will not participate in the women’s 100-meter athletics event, a competition she eagerly anticipated. She has attributed this development to the actions of Nigeria’s sports governing body.
Ofili, who participates in the 100m and 200m races, was set to represent the nation alongside Tima Godbless and Rosemary Chukwuma in the 100m event. Still, in a statement, she revealed that failure by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and the Nigeria National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) to register her for the event has cost her the opportunity.
She took to social media to disclose the development on Tuesday night. She wrote:
“It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at these 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 enter me?”
She also referred to a previous disqualification she got, which the same organisations were responsible for.
“Please remember, in the last Olympic Games, I could not compete because AFN, NADC, and NOC failed to release funds for athletes in the USA to be tested, which made 14 Nigeria I athletes that qualified not 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! The next one is the 200 meters. I HOPE I’M ENTERED.”
The government’s response
In response to Ofili’s statement, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has said that he will not take it lightly with anyone or any group of people responsible for excluding Favour Ofili from participating in the 100m at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games.
In his statement, he said, “Upon hearing Ofili’s distress this morning, I reached out to the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, stated categorically that Favour Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. The Secretary General of AFN has also insisted that the final list forwarded by her to NOC (the only body the International Olympic Committee receives the final list of athletes from) had Ofili listed for the 100m as well.”
While awaiting a response from NOC, the minister has expressed commitment to thorough investigation and ensuring sanctions are passed on parties responsible for the negligence.
This disappointed not just Ofili but also Nigerians, who had high hopes for the athlete to dominate the track.
Simone Biles becomes the most decorated gymnast at the Olympics
Simone Biles is now the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast in history after she led Team USA to gold in team gymnastics.
Biles now has eight Olympic medals, including five gold, surpassing the legendary Shannon Miller to become the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast in history.
Biles, who battled a calf injury in the preliminary round, competed in all four gymnastics events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. She led the American team, finishing nearly six points ahead of the silver medal winners, Italy, with Brazil grabbing bronze.
Upcoming Olympics schedule for Nigeria
Women’s football
In a final attempt to earn a spot in the Olympics quarter-finals, the Super Falcons will face Japan today. They need at least two goals and hope Spain wins their match against Brazil to have any chance of making it to the last eight.
Badminton
In a previous match, Anuoluwapo Opeyori went against Tobias Kuenzi of Switzerland and lost. He is against Li Shifeng of China in the men’s singles qualifiers.
Swimming
Tobi Sijuade will represent Nigeria in the men’s 50-meter freestyle against seven other contestants.
Women’s Basketball
After a spectacular win against Australia, the D’Tigress squad is scheduled to face France in their second preliminary stage for Group B.
