When Annette Echikunwoke, draped in an American flag, celebrated her silver medal in the women’s hammer throw at Paris 2024 Olympics, there was a sense of vindication along with the historic achievement.
However, for those watching in Nigeria, it was a case of missed opportunity.
Africa’s most populous country is still waiting for its first medal at these Olympic Games, and Echikunwoke could have been competing in Nigeria’s green and white but for an administrative oversight by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
Instead, the 28-year-old became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the hammer throw.
“I am so glad to be able to have what I experienced here in Paris and to be able to come away with a medal,” she said.
“Being with the US, feeling cared for as an athlete, I really performed on top of my game.”
So how did Nigeria miss out on her place on the podium?
Sliding doors in Tokyo
Echikunwoke, who was born in Ohio and holds dual American-Nigerian citizenship, was set to represent Nigeria at Tokyo 2020. She had broken the African record in qualification during her first trip to Nigeria but was ruled ineligible to compete upon arriving in Tokyo.
She was among 10 Nigerian athletes disqualified by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) due to non-compliance with out-of-competition drug testing requirements leading up to the Games.
For Echikunwoke, the disqualification felt like a “fever dream,” a shocking and surreal experience.
“On my 25th birthday, I was officially informed that I cannot compete at the Tokyo Olympics due to the negligence of the federation I was set to compete for,” she said in a message posted on Instagram.
“I can’t even begin to explain how heartbroken I am.
“This has been the most mentally and emotionally exhausting time of my life.”
The AFN had failed to comply with a rule which requires athletes to undergo three out-of-competition tests within a 10-month period before a major event.
Echikunwoke said she had provided her whereabouts to the AFN six times in that timeframe, but no-one came to test her in the USA.
“The AFN bears responsibility for any lapses that may have occurred during the process,” a statement by the organisation said.
“A few athletes in the American collegiate system were tested, but those tests were deemed not to have complied with World Anti-Doping Agency sample collection and analysis standards.”
But, for Echikunwoke, the possibility of representing Nigeria was over.
Chasing the American dream
Instead, she decided that her future was with the country of her birth.
Echikunwoke made her debut for the United States at the World Championships in Eugene in 2022, finishing 12th in the final.
She was a surprise winner at the 2024 US Olympic trials, throwing a season’s best of 74.86m.
She bettered that mark at the Stade de France on Tuesday evening, achieving a distance of 75.48m, which earned her the silver medal behind Canada’s Camryn Rogers.
“I felt pretty secure coming into the competition. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” Echikunwoke said.
“It’s electric – just being on the US team, being in the final, coming into the stadium and hearing everyone [be] so loud.
“[To be] the first woman to medal (in hammer throw) for the US, it’s really an honour.
“It’s really a vindication. I wanted the experience.”
Today, Echikunwoke stands proud, having moved on from the chapter of her career where she could have competed under the flag of Nigeria.
“I knew there was always more, even from that time,” she said.
“I’ve forgiven the past and we just move forward.”
A representative of Nigeria’s sports minister would not be drawn on her success.
“We are focusing on our own athletes now, not the one that has gone to represent [an]other country,” the spokesperson told BBC Sport Africa.
The AFN did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment on Echikunwoke’s silver medal.
The reaction in Nigeria
While Echikunwoke targets further major honours and more celebrations with the Stars and Stripes, Nigeria is still waiting to get onto the medal table in Paris.
There were congratulations for Echikunwoke from Nigerians on social media – but plenty also voiced criticism towards the country’s sporting authorities.
“Disqualified from Tokyo due to senseless clerical error of the AFN,” one user posted on X.
“Representing America in 2024. Talent nurtured to the fullest. Silver medallist.”
Another added: “Don’t let Nigeria kill your dream if you have the opportunity to make it elsewhere. Annette Nneka Echikunwoke fought for her destiny.”
Her case of being unable to compete for Nigeria is not unique.
Sprinter Favour Ofili, who missed out on the Tokyo Olympics due to the AFN’s oversight on testing, was also denied the chance to run in the women’s 100m in Paris because she was not registered for the event.
Both Nigerian officials and World Athletics denied responsibility for this oversight.
Ofili finished 6th in the final of the 200m on Tuesday, and the disappointment of missing a podium spot left her unable to speak to reporters after the race.
However, Nigeria’s women still have potential medal opportunities before the end of the Games.
Ese Brume, a bronze medallist in Tokyo, finished fourth in the long jump qualification, while compatriots Ruth Usoro and Prestina Ochonogor will also compete in the final on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Tobi Amusan qualified fastest for the semi-finals of the women’s 100m hurdles on Friday morning.
Echikunwoke mentioned that she might celebrate her Olympic silver by indulging in sour candy, a treat she rarely enjoys while training.
Nigeria’s athletes now have just four full days of competition to avoid being left with a sour taste, looking enviously at a potential teammate lost to an administrative oversight.