Paris 2024: AFN responds to Favour Ofili's Olympics heartbreaking exclusion

AFN has responded to Favour Ofili's heartbreaking 100m omission in Paris, saying the blame isn't from the federation.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has finally responded to the heartbreaking situation of Favour Ofili's omission from the 100m event at Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ofili released an emotional statement on her social media platforms, regrettably announcing she won't be competing in the women's 100m event because the AFN and Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) failed to register her name despite qualifying and being the Nigerian champion.

Ofili, who has had an exceptional season and won most of her professional 100m races this year against some of the world's best sprinters, is a potential finalist and medal hopeful for Nigeria.

"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 my name.

"I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what....to not be entered and compete at the Olympic Games because the responsible organization failed to enter me?

"Please remember, in the last Olympic Games I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC and NOC failed to release funds for athletes in the USA to be tested, which made 14 Nigeria 🇳🇬 athletes that qualified to not compete. Now THIS........If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organization can EVER be trusted in the future!

Next one is the 200meters, 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

I HOPE IM ENTERED"

In response to this, the Technical Director of the AFN Samuel Onikeku disclosed they're not to be blamed for the incompetence.

"We registered Ofili for the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. We don't know how her name got missing in the 100m. This is our stand as a federation," he said.

Ofili ran 11.06s at the Nigerian Olympic trials in Benin City to secure her place among the 56 Nigerian athletes scheduled to compete at the Paris Olympics. She has competed in more 100m races this season than the 200m and ran two wind-aided times of 10.85s and 10.78s.