Nigeria’s hope for a sprint medal at the ongoing 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar varnished yesterday following the disqualification of Blessing Okagbare in the 200m heat.
Running in heat five after she was reinstated into the longer sprint, the 2013 bronze medalist in the event in Moscow got disqualified for stepping outside of her lane.
Earlier at the weekend, Okagbare and reigning NCAA double sprint champion, Divine Oduduru were disqualified from the rest of the events they were entered for at Doha 2019 following their ‘No Show’ in the 100m.
Both athletes had told Nigeria Athletics Federation (AFN) that they had no intention to run the men and women’s 100m events but were shocked to find their names in the start lists.
However, Nigeria’s appeal to IAAF was accepted to have the two athletes back for the rest of their events.
Oduduru however failed in his bid to get to the final of the 200m last night as he placed last in the second semi final race. He clocked 20.84 secs to place eight in the race won by Canadian Andre de Grasse (20.37secs). The only event left for the Delta-born sprinter is the 4x100m relay.
Okagbare’s absence and the withdrawal of 100m bronze medallist Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast have boosted Asher-Smith’s hopes in an event that was already without Dutch defending champion Dafne Schippers and 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica.
Asher-Smith is ranked number one in this event this season and is the odds-on favourite to win her first global outdoor title.
It will take a special performance from her remaining rivals to take the gold away from Asher-Smith.