July 30, (THEWILL) – The set of 10 Nigerian athletes, whose hard work and dedication to the various sports won them qualification to the ongoing Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan only to see their dreams shattered due to testing standards, staged a protest in Tokyo to register their displeasure at the outcome.
The track and field athletes from Team Nigeria rendered ineligible to take part in their preferred events protested with placards on which they inscribed their grouse with the development and they marched with the placards held aloft.
Some placards said: “Why should we suffer for someone else’s negligence”, “All we wanted to do was compete” and “We are not just alternates but potential medalists.” There were still others that read: “We are not just alternates, but potential medallists”, “Dreams shattered”, “10 out of 23, we can’t continue this way”.
Among the athletes who joined in the protest were long jumper Ruth Usoro, 200m runner Favour Ofili, hammer-thrower Annette Echikunwoke, discuss-thrower Chioma Onyekwere, 100m sprinter Rosemary Chukwuma, relay runners Glory Patrick, Chidi Okezie, Tima Godbless, Yinka Ajayi and Knowledge Omovoh.
As THEWILL reported, Team Nigeria was the hardest hit by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) disqualification bracket and the ten affected athletes who believe they were hard done by the disqualification from the integrity body added some social media narrative to their protests against their fate.
Nigeria’s 200m hopeful, Ofili, posted on Instagram, the picture-sharing social media platform: “Hi everyone. It’s with outmost disappointment I share the news that I won’t be competing at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after coming this far.
“Firstly, I give God Almighty all the thanks for the journey thus far and all my accomplishments this season prior to the Olympics. Thanks to my family all my fans and all those that intercede for me in their prayers.
“I feel it’s right that everyone out there knows the truth. I was punished for the crime committed by those who are supposed to be looking out for me because of incompetence and selfishness.
“I worked really hard to qualify for the Olympics and in the end, this is the payment I get in return, ineligible to compete. Your negligence can’t demoralise me for I know God has greater plans for me.”
Ofili finished on a reconciliatory note: “Forgiveness is of the Lord. I pray God gives me the grace and enablement to do so as soon as possible. Thanks, everyone and God bless.
Africa’s record-setting female hammer thrower, Echikunwoke shared her a piece of her mind about how she received the disqualification on her 25th birthday, calling it the most emotionally exhausting time of her life:
“On my 25th birthday, I was officially informed that I cannot compete at the Tokyo 2020ne Olympics due to the negligence of the federation I was set to compete for.
“I can’t even begin to explain how heartbroken I am. It honestly feels like a fever dream. To think of all the hours of throwing sessions, hundreds of hard lifts, all the moments when my body aches in pain and reminding myself ‘it’ll be worth it’, just to keep pushing on, sacrificing time with loved ones…
“And all I’m left with is this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. This has been the most mentally and emotionally exhausting time of my life.”
Echikunwoke did not mince words but directly called out the Athletics Federation of Nigeria with a straightforward accusation that the Federation left them in the dark on the testing issues as required.
“TO BE CLEAR: The African Federation of Nigeria did not go through the processes to set up proper testing for us athletes. They left us in the dark about this whole drug testing issue until the last minute where we were left helpless. We cannot let anything like this happen again to athletes, devastating dreams and crushing opportunities.
“In all of this, I’m still trusting Him who brought me to this point in the first place. I don’t understand divinely why this happened, but I do know all things work for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I know God has called me to do what I’m doing, not just for me, but for the glory of His Kingdom.”
She finished with a sense of gratitude and support: “To my teammates and friends competing, I’m rooting for you heavy, I love you, thank you for your support.”
As they protested, the track and field events of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics took off on Friday without their participation. Africa’s sprint champion Blessing Okagbare and Grace Nwokocha qualified for the semi-finals of the women’s 100m for what is left of Team Nigeria’s athletics numbers.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
