World Athletics has rejected Turkey’s application to switch the athletic allegiance of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, preventing her from representing the country at international competitions.

The decision, contained in a document reviewed on April 16, 2026, stated that the request submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation was not approved after review by the Nationality Review Panel.

The panel said the application formed part of a broader recruitment drive involving multiple athletes and raised concerns about the integrity of international athletics and fair competition.

It added that allowing the switch could undermine efforts to promote national athlete development and protect the credibility of international representation.

Ofili had previously expressed interest in switching allegiances in 2025 after acquiring Turkish citizenship, citing dissatisfaction with Nigerian athletics management.

Although she remains free to live and train in Turkey and compete in non-national events, the ruling means she cannot represent Turkey in international championships or the Olympics.

The decision is a major setback for Turkey’s push to strengthen its athletics team ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.