In a surprising turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the 100m hurdles, was unable to advance to the final of her event.
Amusan, who had previously dazzled spectators with her performance at the Olympics, finished third in her heat with a time of 12.55 seconds.
Despite a strong showing in the semifinals on Wednesday, where she clocked an impressive 12.49 seconds to win her heat, she was unable to replicate that form in Thursday’s competition.
Having missed out on the two automatic qualification spots from her heat, Amusan was pinning her hopes on securing one of the remaining places as a fastest loser.
However, her time was not sufficient to make it to the final eight, leaving her Olympic journey in the 100m hurdles at an unexpected and disappointing end.
Amusan’s failure to qualify for the final is a significant blow not just for her, but also for Team Nigeria, which had high hopes for her in the track and field events.
The hurdles event, a showcase of speed and agility, had been one of the key areas of focus for the Nigerian team, and Amusan’s performance was seen as crucial in their overall medal prospects.
In a statement following her exit, Amusan expressed her disappointment but also her determination to continue improving.
“It’s not the result I was hoping for,” she said. “I gave it my all, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. I will take this as a learning experience and work even harder to come back stronger.”
The result also underscores the unpredictable nature of track and field, where even the best athletes can face challenges in high-stakes situations.
While Amusan’s Olympic journey in the 100m hurdles may have ended sooner than anticipated, her achievements leading up to this point remain a testament to her skill and dedication.