Nigeria’s hopes for a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games have taken a significant hit after Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, failed to secure a spot in the final. The 27-year-old, who was one of the leading contenders for the gold medal, finished 9th overall, just missing out on the top eight qualifying positions.
Amusan, who hails from Ogun State, had previously made it to the final at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago and was seen as one of Nigeria’s best chances for a medal in Paris. Her world record of 12.12 seconds, set at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, marked her as a formidable competitor on the global stage. However, in the semi-finals of the ongoing games, she could only manage a time of 12.55 seconds, which was not enough to advance to the final.
This result leaves Tobi Amusan still in search of her first Olympic medal, a goal that remains elusive despite her impressive track record. The disappointment is palpable, as many Nigerians had pinned their hopes on her to bring home a medal in athletics.
In the same event, Alaysha Johnson of the United States emerged as the fastest qualifier, clocking a remarkable 12.34 seconds to secure her place in the final. The semi-finals were highly competitive, with Johnson narrowly edging out defending Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, who finished just 0.01 seconds behind with a time of 12.35 seconds.
As the women’s 100m hurdles final approaches, it promises to be a thrilling race, with Johnson and Camacho-Quinn leading the pack. The final, scheduled for Saturday, will undoubtedly draw global attention, even as Nigeria’s hopes for a medal in this event have faded.
