The world athletics governing body, World Athletics, has turned down a request by Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili to change her sporting nationality to Turkey.
The decision deals a major setback to Ofili’s ambition to compete for the European nation at the 2028 Olympic Games.
In a document released on Thursday, the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel said it declined the application submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation after examining the details of the case.
According to the panel, approving the request would conflict with key rules and principles that guide athlete nationality transfers in international athletics.
“The application by the TAF for Favour Ofili (the ‘athlete’) to transfer allegiance from NGR to TUR is not approved,” the panel stated.
The review panel comprised Donna Raynor, Cydonie Motherskill, and Susanne van Waert.
