Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has earned a spot in the women’s 200m final at the Paris Olympic Games, achieving a season’s best time of 22.05s in the semi-final race on Monday. Julien Alfred secured the top position with a time of 21.98s.
Ofili’s accomplishment marks a significant milestone, as she becomes the first Nigerian athlete since Mary Onyali to qualify for the 200m final at the Olympic Games.
Mary Onyali, who remains the only Nigerian to have reached the podium in this event, has set a high standard for future generations.
In the men’s 200m race, Udodi Onwuzurike will have another opportunity to become the fourth Nigerian athlete to advance to the semi-finals at the Olympics.
After finishing fifth in his opening round heat with a time of 20.55s, he will compete in the Repechage Round, reserved for athletes who failed to secure automatic semifinal spots.
Notably, Divine Oduduru, who reached the semifinals in 2016 and 2021, was the last Nigerian to advance to the semifinals, but did not make it to the final.
