Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has expressed her disappointment and frustration over not being able to compete in the 100-metre race at the ongoing Paris Olympics, News About Nigeria reports.
The 21-year-old sprinter, who was previously among the 10 Nigerian athletes declared ineligible for the Olympics by the Athletics Integrity Unit due to inadequate testing in the lead-up to Tokyo 2020, now faces another setback in her Olympic journey.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, she cited administrative lapses by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
Ofili criticised the organisations for failing to enter her in the event, despite her qualifying for it.
Ofili, an alumnus of LSU Track and Field, had hoped to participate in the 100-metre event but now looks to compete in the 200-metre race instead.
She lamented the lost opportunity, stating, “It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what?”
This situation echoes the challenges faced during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where administrative issues also prevented her from competing.
Ofili added, “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 Nigerian athletes that qualified unable to compete. Now this…”
Ofili called for accountability from those responsible, emphasising the need for trustworthy governance in sports administration.
“If those responsible are not held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organisation can ever be trusted in the future! Next one is the 200 metres. I hope I’m entered.”
