World Athletics Blocks Ofili’s Switch to Türkiye Over Integrity Concerns

World Athletics has rejected Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili’s request to change her international allegiance to Türkiye, raising concerns about the growing practice of countries recruiting foreign-born athletes to bolster their medal prospects.

In its ruling, the governing body said granting the transfer would risk undermining the integrity of international competition and weaken the principle of national representation — a cornerstone of global athletics. Officials stressed the need to protect the credibility of events such as the Olympic Games and World Championships, warning against what it described as the “systematic acquisition” of athletes by nations seeking competitive advantage.

Ofili, one of Nigeria’s brightest sprinting prospects, specialises in the 100m and 200m and has earned a reputation as a rising force in African athletics. Her application was reviewed alongside 10 others submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation, all of which World Athletics said appeared to form part of a coordinated recruitment drive.

The organisation noted that the applications suggested a structured effort, reportedly backed by Turkish authorities, to strengthen the country’s athletics team ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Although Ofili is understood to have secured Turkish citizenship and signed a professional contract with a club in Türkiye, the decision means she will remain ineligible to represent the country at major global competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships.

She is, however, still permitted to compete in international one-day meetings and other events in an individual or club capacity — a compromise that allows her career to progress while maintaining the current rules governing national allegiance.

For Ofili, the decision represents both a personal setback and a broader reflection of the tightening stance within global sport, as authorities grapple with the balance between athlete mobility and the preservation of national identity in competition.