By Nigerian athletes disqualified from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games on Friday hit the streets of the Japanese capital in protest.
They had prepared to represent the country in the track and field events but were declared ineligible to participate in the games.
On Thursday , Blackbox Nigeria reported that the 10 athletes were declared ineligible to compete at the games by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
AIU is an independent body created by World Athletics to manage all integrity issues – both doping and non-doping.
In its reaction, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) took responsibility for the lapses recorded during the process and reassured Nigerians that the nation’s performances at the Olympics would not be negatively impacted.
While participating countries continue to celebrate heroic achievements and medals in the Japanese capital, it’s a sad tale for the affected athletes.
Those affected are Ruth Usoro, Favour Ofili, Annette Echikunwoke, Chioma Onyekwere, Glory Patrick, Chidi Okezie, Tima Godbless, Rosemary Chukwuma, Yinka Ajayi, and Knowledge Omovoh.
They marched through some of the streets of Tokyo carrying placards with various inscriptions as they registered their displeasure over the situation they have found themselves in.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Why should we suffer for someone else’s negligence”, “All we wanted to do was compete”, “We are not just alternates but potential medallists”, “We are not just alternates, but potential medallists”, “Dreams shattered”, and “10 out of 23, we can’t continue this way”.
Below are some pictures of the protest :
