World Athletics Denies Favor Ofili's Allegiance Switch

World Athletics has officially blocked Nigerian sprinter Favor Ofili's request to switch her athletic allegiance to Turkey. The decision, revealed in documents obtained by Punch Online, was made by a review panel that included Donna Raynor, Cydoni Motherskil, and Susann Van Waert.

The panel ruled that the Turkish Athletics Federation's application did not meet the necessary criteria, raising concerns about the implications for global competition integrity. The panel noted that the application was part of a broader recruitment drive targeting foreign athletes for financial gain rather than genuine national representation.

Ofili, who last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, had acquired Turkish citizenship and signed a long-term contract indicating her intent to relocate. However, the panel concluded that her grievances with the Nigerian athletics authorities did not outweigh the regulatory concerns, and thus, her application was not approved.

Despite this, Ofili remains eligible to compete in international meets as an individual athlete.