Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has been barred from participating in the 100m race at the ongoing Paris Olympics due to an administrative error by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
Ofili announced the disappointing news in a series of tweets on Tuesday night, expressing her frustration and holding the AFN and NOC accountable for their failure to register her for the event.
“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. For what?” she wrote.
The athlete also revealed that this is not the first time such a blunder has occurred, recalling a similar incident at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“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,” she added.
Ofili called for accountability, stating, “If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organisation can EVER be trusted in the future!”
MUK TV reports that Ofili’s disqualification comes as big blow for Nigeria, as she is one of the country’s medal hopefuls at the ongoing Olympics.
Nigeria currently ranks as the 9th most successful African country in the Olympics, with a total of 27 medals, 3 gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze.
Kenya and South Africa lead the continent with 113 and 89 medals, respectively.
