Paris Olympics 2024: Ofili Excluded from 100m Hurdles
By Abu Benjamin
Favour Ofili was excluded from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a controversy surrounding her eligibility to compete for Nigeria.
Ofili had previously represented the United States in junior competitions, and there were questions about her switch to compete for Nigeria. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had initially cleared her to compete for Nigeria, but a last-minute appeal by the US athletics federation led to her exclusion from the Olympics.
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The appeal was based on a rule that states that athletes who have previously represented one country cannot switch to another country without a minimum three-year waiting period. Ofili’s switch from the US to Nigeria was deemed to have violated this rule, leading to her exclusion from the Olympics.
Ofili and the Nigerian Athletics Federation protested the decision, arguing that she had met all the necessary requirements to compete for Nigeria. However, the IAAF upheld the appeal, and Ofili was unable to participate in the Olympics.
This decision sparked widespread outrage and disappointment in Nigeria, with many calling for a review of the rules and a reversal of the decision.
