The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) addresses rumors of sprinter Favour Ofili potentially switching national allegiance. Tensions rose after her name was omitted from the Paris 2024 Olympics roster, leading to speculation about her future with Nigeria. The AFN highlights the challenges and technicalities involved in such a move.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has addressed rumors surrounding U.S.-based sprinter Favour Ofili’s potential move to another country. This speculation follows the recent Paris 2024 Olympics, where Ofili’s name was notably absent from the list for the women’s 100m event. The AFN has insisted it submitted her name for multiple events, including the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, but Ofili disputes this, blaming the federation for the oversight.
The tension between Ofili and the AFN echoes the situation of Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, a hammer thrower who faced similar administrative issues and later switched allegiance. An AFN official stated that if Ofili opts to change her national affiliation, it would be challenging for the federation to prevent her. The official clarified that World Athletics regulations require athletes to sit out of all competitions for three years to be eligible to represent a new country, effectively barring Ofili from competing until late 2027.
The AFN has described Ofili as increasingly challenging to manage, citing past instances such as her refusal to stay with the Nigerian team at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon. Despite the federation’s stance, public reaction has been mixed, with many criticizing the AFN’s handling of athlete management and expressing support for Ofili's potential decision to leave.
