Tokyo Olympics: Disqualified Nigerian Athletes Protest
After ten Nigerian athletes were disqualified from competing in the track and field sports at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, they organized a protest in Tokyo.
According to AIU, an independent Athletic body charged with managing all issues of integrity, including doping and non-doping cases, a total number of 18 athletes were ruled ineligible to compete at the Tokyo Olympics, with Nigeria accounting for the majority, with 10 athletes.
The sportsmen were disqualified, due to failure to meet the minimum testing requirements under Rule 15 of the Anti-Doping Rules for ‘Category A’ federations.
Protest placards read; “Why should we suffer for someone else’s negligence?
“All we wanted to do was compete,” “We are not only alternates, but possible medalists”, among others.
Athletes disqualified are; Ruth Usoro (jumper), Favour Ofili (sprinter), Chioma Onyekwere (discus), Annette Echikunwoke (hammer), Chidi Okezie (4X400m mixed relays), Knowledge Omovoh (4x100m women), Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Glory Patrick (4X400m mixed relays), Yinka Ajayi (4X400m mixed relays) and Tima Godless (4X100m relays).