Ofili back in action for Nigeria after failed Turkey switch, clocks season’s best in Texas

Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has made a strong statement on the track, recording a season’s best 22.15 seconds in the women’s 200m at the Lone Star Grand Prix in Texas.

Competing in only her second 200m race of the season, Ofili finished third behind Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, who stormed to a world-leading 21.70s, while Kayla White placed second in 22.07s.

The performance comes weeks after World Athletics rejected Ofili’s bid to switch allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, ending months of uncertainty over her international future and leaving her eligible to continue representing Nigeria.

The global governing body ruled that the proposed transfer formed part of a wider recruitment strategy by Turkey and declined to approve the application.

Ofili had sought a change of nationality following years of frustration with administrative lapses that affected her career, including missing the Tokyo Olympics and being omitted from the women’s 100m at the Paris Games despite qualifying.

Now back on the track under the Nigerian flag, the 23-year-old showed encouraging form in Texas, producing her fastest time of the season as she continues preparations for upcoming international competitions.

Her 22.15s effort signals a positive return to competition and will boost hopes of another strong campaign from one of Nigeria’s leading sprint talents.