Nigerian track star Favour Ofili showcased remarkable resilience and determination by winning her heat in the women’s 200 meters at her Olympic debut on Sunday.

Despite the turmoil of being excluded from the 100 meters event—a race she had qualified for but was not registered for by the Nigerian games manager—Ofili turned her focus to the 200 meters.

Her exclusion from the 100 meters sparked controversy, leading to social media outbursts that caught the attention of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), who both denied any oversight in the registration process.

Amidst this chaos, Ofili delivered a stellar performance, clocking 22.24 seconds, the second fastest time overall in her heat, securing her spot in the semi-finals. Reflecting on her triumph and the emotional challenges she faced, Ofili shared:

“Despite the setbacks, I was determined to shine. Mental preparation was key. Regardless of what happened, I was determined to be ready. When I step on the track, I aim to cross the line before anyone else. We are all Olympians, and I treat every competitor the same,” she said via MOC.

Favour Ofili will return to the track on Monday, August 5, 2024, with hopes of advancing to the finals and securing a place on the podium.