Paris 2024 Olympics: Where does Favour Ofili rank among Nigeria's best female sprinters in Olympic history?

Favour Ofili, Mary Onyali, and Blessing Okagbare

Paris 2024 Olympics: Where does Favour Ofili rank among Nigeria's best female sprinters in Olympic history?

Funmilayo Fameso 22:37 - 07.08.2024

With the caliber of female sprinters Nigeria has produced, this piece details where Favour Ofili ranks among the best in Olympic history.

Nigeria has had the privilege of being blessed with great female sprinters such as Blessing Okagbare and Mary Onyali, with Favour Ofili now joining the league following her Paris 2024 Olympic exploits.

The 21-year-old has been a star revelation for the world's admiration as she has surpassed expectations on groundbreaking notes in the women's 200m event.

Favour Ofili has been one of Nigeria's biggest revelation at Paris 2024 Olympics

Her journey in Paris began on a gloomy note when it was confirmed two days before athletics began that the AFN and NOC had failed to enter her in the 100m event - one she highly rates her chances of getting to the final and perhaps medalling.

With efforts put in place to reinstate her all to no avail, Ofili had to regroup mentally and channel her energy into performing exceptionally in the 200m event and strive for a medal.

In her first race on her quest for Nigerian Olympic history, Ofili began by conveniently winning her heat in 22.24s against former world champion Dina Asher-Smith.

It was a sound marker to the rest of the women's 200m competitors that she was in for serious business and was ready to cause a major upset against the top favourites for podium positions.

Favour Ofili during one of her races at Paris 2024 Olympic Games || X

Favour Ofili breaking a 28-year-old record in Nigerian Olympic history

Competing in her semifinals, the talented speedster matched newly crowned Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred stride for stride until the last 20m when the St. Lucian star blazed past her in 21.98s, as Ofili was compensated with a new Season's Best of 22.05s to book her automatic spot in the final.

By doing this, Ofili became the first Nigerian female sprinter to reach an Olympic 200m final in 28 years since the legendary Onyali achieved the feat at Atlanta 1996.

Where does Favour Ofili rank amongst Nigeria's best female sprinters in Olympic history?

In Olympic history, only three Nigerian female sprinters have made it to the final of the women's 100m or 200m event. They are Onyali, Okagbare, and Ofili.

Blessing Okagbare

By joining the league in Paris, Ofili narrowly missed out on a podium placement with a sixth-place finish in 22.24s behind bronze medallist Brittany Brown in 22.20s.

Her performance ranks her second among Nigeria's best female sprinters in Olympic history behind the legendary Onyali, who qualified for both the 100m and 200m finals at Atlanta 1996 and ended up with the bronze medal in the latter event.

Mary Onyali won a bronze medal at Atlanta 1996 Olympics

Okagabre made an appearance in the 100m final at London 20122 Olympics but could only manage an eighth-place finish

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