26 Years After Flo-Jos’ Death, Shocking Similarities Found in U20 Track and Field Champion at LSU Invitational

Florence Griffith-Joyner achieved remarkable feats in track and field at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. It has been over three decades since the world’s fastest woman set world records in both the 100m and 200m sprints in the women’s category. Very few athletes have come close to her extraordinary 100m world record in Seoul, which she achieved just four days after winning the 200m gold. During the qualifying rounds, Florence Griffith-Joyner also recorded three of the four fastest runs ever recorded in the 100m sprint. Recently, Favour Ofili came close to replicating such phenomenal records.

In the recently concluded LSU Invitational, the 21-year-old Nigerian athlete completed her 100m race in 10.78 seconds (+2.2m/second), equaling Aleia Hobbs at the top spot. To everyone’s disbelief, on the same day, Ofili registered her 200m race in 22.34 seconds(+2.0 m/second). Eventually, both the timings remained closer to the existing NCAA records, giving her the top podiums. While in comparison to Flo-Jo’s track and field timings of 1988, Ofili’s timings may look less radiant. But when it comes to considering the similar form, track and field fans still remember Flo-Jo, even 26 years after her demise. Furthermore, another track and field legend came closer once to having such a form. 

As per the X-handle, @juniormosothoa3, that track and field legend is Elaine Thompson-Herah.

In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Elaine Thompson-Herah had a similar stint as she defended her 100m title. Surprisingly, 3 days later, she won the 200m title in the Olympics. Meanwhile, her 100m timing remains as the Olympic record. For such track and field maneuvering, Elaine Thompson-Herah earned the nickname of the second fastest woman in history. Favour Ofili does not hold such vast experience. 

But as per her fans, the raging form she is in gives a similar vibe to those track and field athletes. So what are the achievements except the LSU Invitational that put her in such a comparison? 

An Olympic ticket, breaking national track and field record…what more? 

On April 12, Favour Ofili did an unthinkable in the Tom Jones Memorial. The LSU alum posted her 200m opener in 22.33 seconds (+1.4 seconds). This timing etched her name in the record book and earned her the qualification for the Paris Olympics. Eventually, it was Ofili’s first season after turning pro. Riding on such a form, the Nigerian track and field prodigy achieved another milestone 2 years ago. 

In 2022, Favour Ofili broke the Nigerian 200m national record in the Tom Jones Invitational. Eventually, she became the second woman in the African track and field record book to complete the 200m event in the sub-22 category. In this season as well, the former U20 world champion won almost every track and field contest she participated in. This season her only defeat came to world champion sprinter Gabrielle Thomas.

In said contest of the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Ofili completed her 300m short track race‌ in 35. 99 compared to Gabrielle Thomas’ 35.75 in Gainesville. Moreover, she faced Elaine Thompson-Herah once, back in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The 19-year-old Ofili claimed the second position in the 200m event while the reigning Olympic champion remained the table-topper. Performances like such have worked behind Favour Ofili’s comparison with Flo-Jo and Elaine Thompson-Herah.