On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, made history when she became the first athlete to win a medal for the USA in hammer throw after she received a silver medal for her effort in the event.
Annette Nneka Echikunwoke however did not represent the USA from the get-go and at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo Japan as it was revealed that she had been slated to represent Nigeria instead.
Questions as to why Annette won the medal with USA and not Nigeria have been raised and here is why the silver medalist at the Olympics 2024 hammer throw event opted for The States instead of Team Nigeria.
Why did Annette Nneka Echikunwoke leave Nigeria for the USA?
Annette Nneka Echikunwoke faced a devastating disqualification at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Initially chosen to represent Nigeria, her parent’s home country, in the hammer throw, she was disqualified just two days before her event due to administrative errors by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
The AFN failed to submit the required drug testing documentation for Echikunwoke and nine other Nigerian athletes, making them ineligible. This mistake was especially heartbreaking for Echikunwoke as it happened on her birthday, July 29, 2021. She expressed her deep disappointment on social media, highlighting the hard work and sacrifices she had made in preparation for the Olympics.
Despite this setback, Echikunwoke’s determination endured. She later switched her allegiance to the United States and made an incredible comeback by winning a silver medal in the hammer throw at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This has raised more questions than answers for the Athletic Federation of Nigeria as a repeat where Favour Ofili was not duly registered for the 100m event at the Olympics 2024 was confirmed.
Questions about the competence of the federation have continued to surface and many believe this could discourage other top athletes from opting for the option to represent the country at future events.
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