Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili has pulled out of the much-anticipated inaugural Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston, Jamaica, scheduled to take place from Friday, April 4.
The event organizers announced that Ofili was among ten athletes who would no longer be competing, citing injuries and unexpected circumstances as the reasons for their withdrawal.
Replacement and Event Structure
Ofili, who was originally slated to compete in the women’s 100m and 200m against Olympic medalists Melissa Jefferson, Brittany Brown, and Daryll Neita, has been replaced by Jamaican sprinter Jodean Williams.
The Grand Slam Track meet, a $12.6 million circuit featuring 96 contracted athletes, will span four legs:
Kingston, Jamaica (April 4-6)
Miramar, Florida (May 2-4)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (May 30 – June 1, at Franklin Field)
Los Angeles, California (June 27-29, at UCLA’s Drake Stadium)
Organizers’ Statement on Withdrawals
Senior Director of Racing Kyle Merber announced the withdrawals but assured fans that replacements were of a high standard.
“While injuries and unexpected circumstances are out of our control, we’ve chosen to be transparent with fans rather than keep them in the dark,” Merber said.
“We are excited that there has been so much interest from athletes to compete in the initial Grand Slam Track event that we have been able to fill the open lanes with such high-quality competitors who will contend for wins.”
Ofili’s 2025 Season So Far
After missing out on the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ofili made her competitive return in February, opening her 2025 season with a 7.26-second run to win the preliminary round of the Women’s 60m Olympic Development heat at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
She later clinched victory at the LSU Twilight meet, running a season-best 7.26s in the 60m dash, ahead of Thelma Davies.
Favor Ofili is expected to continue her season with a focus on major competitions later in the year.
