“It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at this Olympic Games,” Nigerian track star Favour Ofili shared on Instagram, her words dripping with disappointment. A standout for the LSU Lady Tigers, Ofili had achieved the Olympic standard in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 4×100 relay, her dreams set on Olympic glory. Yet, due to a heartbreaking oversight by Nigerian sports officials, she has been stripped of the chance to compete in one of her signature events. This devastating error has not only shattered Ofili’s Olympic aspirations but also serves as a somber reminder of the impact of administrative failures on athletes’ lives.

“The Athletics Federation of Nigeria & NOC failed to enter her name for the event…” explained Track & Field Gazette on X. The 21-year-old athlete didn’t hesitate to reveal her frustration toward the regulatory bodies who filed her. “I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what?” questioned the sprinter. Fans on X also have the same question for the ANF.

The Team Nigeria member has historically performed better in the 200m and 400m individual events. Besides winning gold in both events at the African Youth Championships, Favour Ofili has also won 200m bronze at the U20 World Championships. However, the avoidable oversight has now cost the athlete a chance to display the improvements she made in the 100m event.

Unfortunately, the 6x SEC champion’s story has turned into the mirror image of Nayoka Clunis’s ordeal. Clunis who is among the top 32 hammer throwers in the world qualified to represent Jamaica at the Paris Games. However, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) failed to include the thrower’s name in the list of athletes to represent the country.

Nayoka Clunis had the time to appeal her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), even though the outcome remained the same. However, Favour Ofili has no other option but to begrudgingly accept the circumstances due to the lack of time. “Next one is the 200 meters… I HOPE I’M ENTERED,” the 21-year-old wrote on social media. However, she wasn’t the only one frustrated with Nigeria’s sporting bodies.

Fan outrage follows Favour Ofili’s painful exit

The unexpected turn of events shocked track and field fans on social media. “Why did they sabotage her?” asked one individual who had no clue how the ANF and NOC allowed such an overnight. One hinted at the answer, shedding light on what might be a chronic cycle of negligence from the sporting bodies. “SMH! This is the second straight Olympics Nigeria has done something like this,” commented the X-user.

Favour Ofili explained how the Nigerian government failed her the last time. The sprinter revealed she couldn’t qualify for Tokyo thanks to a past oversight by not one but three different regulatory bodies. “Last Olympic Games I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC (National Anti-Doping Committee) and NOC failed to release funds for athletes in the USA to be tested,” wrote Ofili.

Athletes who participate in the Olympics cannot do so unless they pass doping tests. Since Oilif didn’t get tested, WADA didn’t allow her to compete. “Completely unacceptable… This is exactly why almost every Nigerian athlete looks to represent other countries, SMH.” argued another individual. However, they had good reason for such an argument, as Ofili isn’t the only Nigerian to suffer.

The LSU star mentioned that she and 13 others couldn’t compete in Tokyo due to a lack of dr*g testing. Needless to say, the 14 athletes had already qualified for their respective events. Meanwhile, one fan raised a similar argument, but for Nigerians who are born overseas. Athletes born in other countries sometimes represent their native land.

Yet, he doesn’t see the same happening with Nigerian athletes, thanks to the repeated mistakes by authorities robbing athletes like Favour Ofili of their Olympic dream. “Freaking A. I’m tired of these Nigerian officials. SMH. No wonder why our players born overseas never want to rep us. Stay messing things up,” commented the disappointed Nigerian.

However, one fan argued that it may be a strategic move in by the National Olympic Committee. “It’s sad this occurred, but it may have been strategic. Not using her legs for that 100m, that she wasn’t going to win anyway saved for 200m. May make her stronger for 200m and relays,” argued the fans. Unfortunately, there was one issue with this argument.

Athletes and their coaches make such decisions long before the Olympics. Coach Mark Coogan, and Team USA athlete Elle St. Pierre, decided to withdraw from the 5000m event to focus on the 1500m race. Similarly, Favour Ofili would’ve informed the ANF and NOC if she planned to withdraw from the 100m event.

While Ofili still has other events to look forward to, the mishap undoubtedly affected her mental state. What are your opinions on what transpired? Let us know.