Nigerian sprint sensation and world record holder, Tobi Amusan, has been eliminated from the 100m hurdles event at the Paris Olympics, dashing Nigeria’s hopes for a medal in the athletics competition.
Amusan, who holds the world record in the event with a time of 12.12 seconds set at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, finished third in her semi-final heat with a time of 12.55 seconds.
Her time was not enough to secure a place in the final, as she had to wait anxiously to see if she would qualify as one of the fastest losers.
However, the third semi-final ended her hopes when Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent and France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela posted faster times of 12.44 and 12.52 seconds, respectively, securing the final qualification spots.
Amusan’s elimination marks a disappointing end to her third Olympic appearance, where expectations were high following her record-breaking performance two years ago.
Amusan’s exit is a significant blow to Nigeria’s medal prospects at the Paris Games, where the country has struggled to make an impact on the podium.
With the Olympics concluding on Sunday, the nation’s athletes are left with limited opportunities to secure a medal.
Amusan’s journey to global prominence began when she broke the previous world record of 12.20 seconds, held by American Kendra Harrison since 2016. Her remarkable achievement in 2022 made her the first Nigerian athlete to hold a world record in athletics, and she has since been celebrated as one of Nigeria’s brightest stars in track and field.
Despite the disappointment in Paris, Amusan remains a symbol of hope and resilience for Nigerian athletics. As the country looks ahead to future competitions, her legacy as a world record holder and her contributions to the sport will continue to inspire the next generation of Nigerian athletes.