Disqualified Again: For the second Games running, Favour Ofili’s Olympic dreams thwarted by administrative failures

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

When world-class Nigerian athlete Favour Ofili circulated information on social media that she had been told she will not compete in the 100 metres at the Paris Olympics, my heart was shattered.

On Tuesday, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that she qualified but the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) failed to enter her name in the list submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Bear in mind that the NOC is the only body the International Olympic Committee receives the final list of athletes from.

This makes it the second straight Olympic Games Ofili will not be able to compete in. She missed the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan because the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC), the AFN, and the NOC failed to release funds for athlete testing.

ALSO READ:

• 2024 Paris Olympics: Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili denied 100m spot
• Grace Nwokocha: Why Nigeria’s Commonwealth Gold Medalist Was Provisionally Suspended
• Tobi Amusan wins fourth consecutive national women’s 100m hurdles title
• The template to Enzo Maresca’s success at Chelsea
• Liverpool academy star tipped to be better than Kobbie Mainoo

Ofili was ultimately affected due to this negligence as she was one of the 14 qualified Nigerian athletes that were ruled to be unable to compete. She was deemed to have failed to complete the number of dope tests required to be done before the games.

Disqualified due to gross negligence yet again

It makes it a run of eight years she has worked and trained hard to land in the world’s biggest sporting event but somehow experience disqualification in the most devastating manners.

Obviously frustrated at the latest reality, Ofili further wrote in her post that if the people responsible for her ill-fated situation are not held accountable, neither organisation [AFN & NOC] “can be trusted in the future!”

In a response to the unfortunate incident, Journalists and well-meaning Nigerians have received the news with utter disgust and disappointment.

Many have blamed the two Nigerian bodies for failing yet again in their administrative responsibilities. They see the latest occurrence as a lack of competence from those at the helm of affairs.

At 21, Ofili is a world-beater already

Ofili has been in the top eight at the World Championships. She is also a Commonwealth Games silver medalist and an African Games champion.

She is a former World U20 champion [World Junior champion], and an African Senior Athletics Championships champion in the 200m.

Despite her disappointment concerning the 100m, Ofili hopes to compete in the 200m race, which she also qualified for.

“Next one is the 200meters, 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️
I HOPE IM ENTERED”, she expressed.

At 21, Ofili has had a stellar season, winning numerous races. Her victories include those within the collegiate system and at the National trials in Benin City, Edo State. These achievements are part of her buildup to the Paris Olympic Games.

Also reacting, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh has expressed his disappointment and displeasure at Ofili’s exclusion. He also warned that “thorough sanctions” will be meted out following an investigation of the matter.

In his post on X, the Minister said after reaching out, AFN’s Technical Director Samuel Onikeku “stated categorically that Favour Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay.”

Sen. Enoh also stated that The Secretary General of AFN insisted the final list presented to the NOC had Ofili listed for the 100m as well.

As at the time of putting this piece together, the Minister said he was in touch with the President of the NOC for a proper explanation of the issue and was awaiting a response.

Thorough sanctions?

The Nigerian Sports Minister said he will not tolerate “this utter recklessness.” He said there will be “thorough sanctions after investigations into where and from whom this gross negligence originated.”

His post also read: “As an immediate measure, the Athletic Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee must ensure that Favour Ofili is not deprived of the opportunity to compete in the races for which she is qualified and registered to represent the country at the Paris Olympics. She is committed to proving her mettle.”

What next?

A former Olympian and bronze medalist at the 1996 Olympics, Mary Onyali confirmed earlier today that there is nothing that can be done to revert the decision made by the IOC regarding Ofili and the 100 metres.

Veteran Sports Journalist, Godwin Enakhena confirmed Onyali communicated that information to him during his Sports radio program Wednesday morning. He said this during the ‘top sports’ radio program on Top radio 90.9fm.

As the days go by, we expect an uncovering of what really happened. What specific reason(s) caused Ofili’s omission?

Two Olympic dreams gone.

8 years of massive hardwork gone just like that. Like 8 God-bless-you years o. Chai.

So pained for Favour Ofili.

Now that we have seen the list sent by the AFN to the NOC as including this brilliant lady's name, what does the latter have to say? pic.twitter.com/hOFJxGvBR1

— Ayomikun Elemikan🇳🇬 (@ayomikunpress) July 31, 2024

Will heads roll following investigation or the Sports Minister is merely bluffing? Time will tell.

Also, are her 200m and 4x100m spots safe and if they are, what measures are being taken to avoid future occurrences like this – for her and the other Nigerian athletes?

For now, we can only wish Favour Ofili and other Nigerian participants at the Olympic Games well in their remaining events.

Tags: Favour Ofili, NOC, NADC, AFN, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Nigeria Olympic Committee, John Enoh, Paris 2024 Olympics, Olympic Games, #ParisOlympics, #nrtcsports, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnewsnigeria.