Ofili favoured as first Nigerian athlete that may be contracted to run in Grand Slam Track in 2025

Paris 2024 Olympics 200m finalist, Favour Ofili looks to be the first Nigerian athlete that may be contracted as one of the four racers that will be contracted to compete in Grand Slam Track, the new global track and field event created by 1996 Olympics 200/400m champion and former world 200m and 400m record holder, Michael Johnson.

The Nigerian is among the seventh fastest in the 200m event this year with five Americans and Julien Alfred of St Lucien above her in the 2024 top list. The 21 year old has been the most visible Nigerian in the short sprint this year with huge potential.

Only one African, Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga has been contracted so far and athletics watchers others will soon join, especially the high flying Africans like Letsile Tebogo, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Faith Kipyegon, Mary Moraa, Beatrice Chebet and of course Ofili.

Only one sprinter, Melissa Jefferson who ran 10.80 this year to stay as the fourth fastest in the 100m this year has been contracted. She also finished third at the Olympics in Paris.

Tobi Amusan’s indifferent performance last season and the fact that the three medalists at the Paris Olympics have already been listed in an event only four will be contracted as racers will surely knock the Nigerian off.

Instead, organizers will be looking to get Ackera Nuggent, the fastest over the distance this year and one potentially ready with Masai Russell to break Amusan’s 12.12 world record .

There is no place for Ese Brume and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi as organizers are yet to include any field event in the competition with the largest racing purse in history over a full season.

If Ofili misses the cut, then she will definitely be one of the four challengers for each race that will also be named before the start of the competition next year.

Organizers say the ‘Grand Slam Track is the premier global professional track league featuring matchups between the fastest stars in the sport.

‘The league will host four annual Slams taking place between April and September, with eight Racers competing in one of 12 event groups. At the beginning of each season, four Racers per group make the starting roster to contest each Slam.

‘The next four Racers in each group are the Challengers, whose recent performances unlock a lane to the most compelling head-to-head clashes on earth. Each athlete will compete twice over the course of the weekend with the best combined placing determining the Slam champion.