蜜芽传媒

Ten Nigerian athletes have been unexpectedly disqualified from the Olympics because Nigerian athletics officials did not ensure enough drugs tests were carried out on the country's athletes in the months running up to the Games.

One of the barred athletes is Chioma Onyekwere, ranked sixteenth in the world for women's discus throw. She told Newsday about the moment she found out she could not take part:

鈥淭he Federation brought us in to tell us we were not competing. I still had the sweat on me from practice while we were having this meeting. It is truly heartbreaking."

"It has felt like a bad dream, after years and years of dedication and sacrifice to get to this pinnacle of our career. I saw myself as a finalist in this Olympics and a potential medal contender. The organisation and system has failed us and now it has cost us our dreams."

Photo: Ten Nigerian athletes barred from the Olympics (Photo courtesy of Chioma Onyekwere)