Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has reignited Nigeria’s hopes for an Olympic medal after qualifying for the final of the women’s 200m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Competing at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Ofili secured the second automatic qualifying spot with a season’s best time of 22.05 seconds, just behind St Lucia’s Julien Alfred, who clocked in at 21.98 seconds.
The race, held on Monday, saw Ofili in tears of joy as she celebrated her achievement.
Ofili’s path to the final was not without challenges. She was omitted from the 100m race due to administrative lapses, making her success in the 200m even more poignant.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 200m race, Nigerian sprinter Udodi Onwuzurike will have another opportunity to advance after finishing fifth in his opening round heat with a time of 20.55 seconds.
He will compete in the Repechage Round, which offers a second chance for athletes who did not secure automatic semifinal spots.
