Rosemary Chukwuma finished third in her heat on Friday to qualify for the semi-final of the women’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Chukwuma, who had a slow start, ran 11.26s to secure the last automatic qualification spot in her heat.
Poland’s Ewa Swoboda won the heat in 10.99s, while Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith placed second in 11.01s.
Nigeria’s other representative in the women’s 100m, Tima Godbless, was not as fortunate, failing to qualify after placing a disappointing sixth in her heat.
Godbless, who started well, faded toward the end, finishing in a time of 11.33s in Heat 7.
The heat was won by reigning African champion Gina Bass-Bittaye in 11.01s, while Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji and Belgium’s Delphine Nkansa secured the other two automatic qualification spots, placing second and third in 11.05s and 11.20s, respectively.
Bold Sports had earlier reported that despite late interventions by the Minister of Sports John Enoh, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria was unable to register Favour Ofili, who had expressed concerns about her non-registration by the federation.
The women’s 100m heats lived up to expectations as all the major athletes advanced to the semi-finals. African record holder Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith was the fastest overall, winning Heat 8 with a season’s best time of 10.87s, ahead of Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who placed second in 10.92s.
The 37-year-old Jamaican, appearing in her fifth Olympics, was tied for second overall with Great Britain’s Daryll Neita, while the USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson won Heat 3 with a time of 10.94s.
Other notable athletes advancing to the semi-finals include Julien Alfred (St. Lucia) with a time of 10.95s, Melissa Jefferson (USA) with 10.96s, and Tia Clayton (Jamaica) with 11.00s.
