By C. J. De Mel, Jadetimes News
When Annette Echikunwoke, draped in the American flag, celebrated her silver medal in the women's hammer throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a mix of vindication and historical achievement resonated with many. Her victory rather stirred feelings of what could have been in Nigeria.
And Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, is still waiting for its first medal at these Olympic Games. Echikunwoke could have been representing Nigeria, but for an administrative error by that country's athletic federation, the AFN, she found herself wearing the colours of the USA. At 28, she became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the hammer throw.
Speaking reflectively about her time in Paris, Echikunwoke said, "I'm just so grateful to have had what I experienced here in Paris and to be able to come away with a medal. Being with the US, feeling cared for as an athlete, I really performed on top of my game."
The tale of how Nigeria lost her glory began with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Echikunwoke is an American-Nigerian and was born in Ohio, but she had qualified to compete for Nigeria. During qualifications, she broke the African record but was later deemed not eligible to compete at the meet due to noncompliance on out-of-competition drug testing requirements upon arrival in Tokyo. She wasn't alone, as ten Nigerian athletes were put in the same situation as a result of the AFN's negligence.
Echikunwoke revealed the disbelief at first felt when she was told on her 25th birthday that she would not be allowed to compete: "I'm at loss of words in describing how heartbroken I am. This has been the most mentally and emotionally exhausting time of my life." The AFN had failed to ensure she underwent the required tests within a ten-month period, despite her filing whereabouts information six times.
On the disqualification, the AFN accepted culpability: "The AFN bears responsibility for any lapses that may have occurred during the process." By the time this came out, however, it was already too late, and Echikunwoke's chance to represent Nigeria was gone.
Undeterred, Echikunwoke looked to the USA and made her debut at the World Championships in Eugene last year, finishing 12th. Setting it up was this year's shocking US Olympic trials victory in 2024 – 74.86m was a season's best – and her silver in Paris success came with 75.48m behind Canada's Camryn Rogers.
Speaking in an interview after the event, Echikunwoke gave a retrospection of her performance: "I felt pretty secure coming into the competition. It literally is the opportunity of a lifetime. [To be] the first woman to medal in hammer throw for the US, it really is an honor; it really is vindication. I wanted the experience."
His exploits ended just as Echikunwoke now looks forward to the future; Nigeria has left the Paris games without a single medal. Many Nigerians flooded social media with congratulations and, at the same time, criticized the country's sporting authorities. One user commented, "Disqualified from Tokyo due to senseless clerical error of the AFN. Representing America in 2024. Talent nurtured to the fullest. Silver medallist."
It's not only Echikunwoke who fell victim in that matter. Sprinter Favour Ofili was the other casualty from the AFN's oversight, as she missed competing in the women's 100m in Paris due to registration issues. Her disappointment was palpable, having finished sixth in the 200m final and could not even talk to reporters after her race.
While this may be so, medal chances still exist for Nigerian athletes. Ese Brume, who made bronze in Tokyo, qualified fourth in long jump where Ruth Usoro and Prestina Ochonogor are also eyeing excellence. Tobi Amusan also qualified fastest for the women's 100m hurdles semifinals.
Echikunwoke may well celebrate her Olympic silver with some sour candy – a rare indulgence during her rigorous training. Nigeria's athletes, on the other hand, have only four more days to prevent themselves from leaving the Games with a sour taste in their mouths, having witnessed someone who could have been a colleague enjoying success because of an administrative slip.
