Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili is set to start her campaign for a medal in the women’s 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics at La Chapelle Arena on Sunday (today).
This comes after a controversial administrative error led to her exclusion from the women’s 100m event, leaving both the athletes and Nigerian sports fans bewildered and disappointed.
The 21-year-old sprinter, who will also compete in the women’s 4x100m relay, has received encouragement from Sports Minister John Enoh to stay focused despite the setback.
“I was on the matter until the early hours of today (Friday), hoping to give Nigerians something to be happy about,” Enoh said in a statement released on Friday, promising to address the 100m exclusion issue after the Olympics.
Ofili will face tough competition from top contenders, including the reigning World Champion, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, USA’s Gabby Thomas, Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, and Namibia’s Christine Mboma, making the event highly competitive.
Already recognized as one of Nigeria’s top athletes, Ofili has a 2022 Commonwealth silver medal among other accolades. Known for her explosive speed and powerful finish, she is expected to be a strong contender in the 200-meter heats and beyond.
As she takes to the track, Ofili carries not only her personal aspirations but also the hopes of millions of Nigerians. Her performance in the 200m and relay events could potentially secure a medal for Nigeria, adding to the anticipation surrounding her Olympic debut.