World Athletics has rejected an application by Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili to switch her international allegiance to Turkey, dealing a significant blow to her hopes of competing under a new flag at future global competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games.
The decision was confirmed on Thursday following a review by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel, which assessed the request submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation.
In its ruling, the panel stated that the application to transfer allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey could not be approved after careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding the request.
“The Application by the TAF for Favour OFILI (the ‘Athlete’) to transfer allegiance from NGR to TUR is not approved,” the panel declared.
The decision means Ofili will remain eligible to compete for Nigeria, unless a future application is reconsidered and approved under different conditions. The rejection is viewed as a setback for the athlete, who had reportedly been aiming to represent Turkey on the international stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The ruling was delivered by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel, comprising Donna Raynor, Cydonie Mothersill, and Susanne van Waert. The panel is responsible for assessing nationality transfer requests to ensure compliance with global eligibility rules and to maintain fairness within international athletics.
According to World Athletics regulations, nationality switches are subject to strict criteria designed to prevent exploitation of athletes and to preserve the integrity of international competition. The panel noted that approving the request in this case would conflict with key regulatory principles governing athlete eligibility.
While the governing body did not disclose detailed reasons specific to Ofili’s case, such decisions typically take into account factors such as residency, previous representation, and timing of the request relative to competition cycles.
The rejection comes at a crucial stage in Ofili’s career, as she continues to establish herself as one of Nigeria’s leading sprint talents on the international circuit. She has represented Nigeria at major championships and is regarded as part of the country’s next generation of elite track athletes.
The development also highlights the increasing scrutiny surrounding nationality transfers in athletics, as several countries continue to pursue athletes born elsewhere to strengthen their competitive depth.
For now, Ofili’s immediate future in international competition remains tied to Nigeria, with attention expected to shift back to her preparations for upcoming championships under the Nigerian flag.
