Robbed Of Olympics Dream, Sha’Carri Richardson’s Nigerian Rival Confirms Huge Update: “Negligence Toward Me”

It was inevitable. The news had come in June. Jamaican reporter Kayon Raynor posted on X: “Nigerian sprinter @FavOfili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025. According to impeccable @TvjNewscentre sources, 22-year-old Ofili has advised the [Athletics Integrity Unit] @aiu_athletics of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation.” But when she raced in the finals of Women’s 100m at Brussels DL against the likes of Sha’Carri Richardson, she finished fifth (11.19) as a Nigerian athlete. And then, questions started looming. Who would she be representing in the Tokyo World Championships? Today, she made it clear with another dig at AFN.

Favour Ofili posted on her social media handles (Instagram and X), “Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. Racing back-to-back across amazing cities and learning from the best has been incredible. As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.” The Brussels Diamond League was indeed her last race of the 2025 season, sharing the field with Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Shelly-Ann, et al. Plus, it was also her last for Nigeria.

“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way! Having won SIX gold medals, TWO silver medals and TWO bronze medals in championship meets and a 200 meter Olympic finalist while experiencing the biggest disappointment from AFN and NOC For their negligence towards me in two Olympic (Tokyo/Paris),” she continued in the post.

Here’s a quick lookback. As a Nigerian, she won gold in the 400m (2018 African Youth Games), 200m (2019 Nigerian Champs), 4×400m & 4×400m mixed (2021 Nigerian Trials), 4×400m (2021 World U20), and 100m (2024 Nigerian Champs); silver in the 400 m (2019 African Games) and 200 m (2022 Commonwealth Games); bronze in the 200m & 4×100m (2021 World U20); and was a 200m finalist at Paris 2024.

Yet, to be fair, there have also been mistakes from AFN.

The body robbed her of her Olympic dreams not once but twice. She was one of 14 athletes barred from competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to administrative failings, including the failure of the AFN and Nigeria Olympic Committee to complete mandatory pre-Games drug testing for athletes based in the U.S. And then in 2024?

She was not included in Nigeria’s entry list for the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite qualifying. And now, we cannot avoid the fact that she will not be competing alongside Sha’Carri Richardson and others in Tokyo.

Her caption further read, “I have made this decision.. While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives. I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey, I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for all the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor @adidas and my loved ones during this difficult time. 🧘🏾‍♀️” Wondering why can’t she be in Tokyo?

According to Rule 4.4.2 of the World Athletics Eligibility Rules, any athlete who has previously competed for a country in a major competition, such as the Olympic Games or World Championships, must observe a three-year waiting period before they can represent another nation. So, the next time we will see Ofili in a major competition will be the 2027 World Championships, if not later.

But the news of her disappointment from AFN was already there when the update of her switching alliance first came around. Though the AFN chief has a different perspective on things.

Money was a factor in Ofili’s switch to Turkey

To begin with, track and field is not a sport that can guarantee you a lot of money. When the news first came out that Jamaicans like Rajindra Campbell and Roje Stona are switching allegiances to Turkey, there were also reports that the Turks are offering $500,000 as a signing bonus along with a monthly stipend.

Now, 3 weeks ago, when the Nigerian nationals concluded and Ofili was nowhere to be found, it was clear that she was standing firm on her decision. A try was made in June itself, when the news first came out.

AFN President Okowa admitted the federation had attempted to reconcile with the LSU sprinter, but had been unable to make contact. Now with no presence at Nationals, he mentioned, “Favour Ofili has been taken by the Turkish Federation.”

He even added, “The kind of money they put on the table is not something many athletes would refuse.” This came in reference to the $500,000 signing bonus. He also pleaded, saying they can’t rely on the government alone, and more sponsors are needed to support athletes locally.

But while the money might have been a factor, Ofili has always stressed the negligence she had faced as her primary reason. What do you think it is, though?