Team Nigeria was rocked by another athlete’s omission at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the second one after Favour Ofili was not registered for the women’s 100 metres despite qualifying.
Relay athlete Olayinka Olajide, popularly called AJ Gold, was left out of the 4by100m relay team despite running in the qualifiers in the Bahamas last year and present in Paris.
The quartet of Justina Eyakpobeyan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma and Tima Godbless represented the country but failed to reach the final after finishing sixth in their heat.
Her omission has raised eyebrows among Nigerians as she earlier challenged the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh, over the disparity in the training grant for foreign-based and local athletes.
“I believe there should be no segregation when it comes to training grants. We all are Nigerian athletes, and we deserve a full right,” a part of her tweet reads.
The session was indeed interactive, and we appreciate the transparency and full responsibility your office holds Sir.
However, I believe there should be no segregation when it comes to training grants. We all are Nigerian athletes, and we deserve a full right. https://t.co/O9KT4AwlWA— Ajgold (@Olayinka0lajide) August 6, 2024
She further claimed that Nigeria-based athletes receive 20% of what is paid to foreign-based athletes as training grants—a figure quoted as $1,000 and $5,000.
Olajide reacts to her omission Though the reason for her exclusion from the relay team has not been disclosed, netizens have claimed it was due to her public message to the sports minister.
She appeared displeased that she was left out, but in her comic self, she reacted to it on social media with a rather funny video in which she suggested she would stop social media ranting and go diabolically.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta alumnus disproved claims that she was probably injured and claimed she was still listed 45 minutes before the race.
