Nigerian sprint icon, Tobi Amusan, triumphed in her heat in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, advancing to the semifinals at the Paris Olympics alongside competitors Alysha Johnson and Janeek Brown.
On Wednesday, the 27-year-old world record holder from the 2022 World Championships, blazed through her qualifying heat, leading the pack with an impressive time of 12.49 seconds.
Her performance secured her a spot in the semifinals, reaffirming her dominance in the event.
Trailing Amusan, Alysha Johnson from the USA finished the race in 12.61 seconds, securing her advancement as well. Janeek Brown from Jamaica also qualified, clocking in at 12.84 seconds.
In another remarkable heat, Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn dominated with a leading time of 12.42 seconds, earning her place in the semifinals.
She was followed by Cindy Sember of Great Britain, who finished in 12.72 seconds, and Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska, who clocked 12.82 seconds.
Heat three featured a thrilling display of speed and technique, with Masai Russell from the USA and Nadine Visser of the Netherlands crossing the finish line simultaneously at 12.53 seconds, both securing their semifinal spots. Cyrena Samba-Mayela from France closely followed, finishing at 12.56 seconds to clinch the third qualifying spot.
Jamaica’s Danielle Williams led heat four with a time of 12.59 seconds, closely pursued by Ireland’s Sarah Lavin and Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji.
Heat five saw Ackera Nugent from Jamaica leading with a time of 12.65 seconds, while Grace Stark of the USA and Devynne Charlton from the Bahamas also qualified.
Amusan’s journey to the Paris Olympics was not without its challenges. In July 2023, the Athletics Integrity Unit provisionally suspended her for missing three whereabouts tests, a critical component of anti-doping regulations.
This suspension cast a shadow over her career and raised concerns among her supporters in Nigeria.
However, after appealing to the independent Tribunal and the subsequent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sports, she was cleared of any wrongdoing, reinstating her eligibility just in time for the Olympics.
This decision was met with jubilation in Nigeria, where fears of her potential ban had loomed large.
