2024 Olympic Games: From a nightmare in Tokyo to silver in Paris for Annette Echikunwoke

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PARIS — Three years ago, Annette Echikunwoke was ready to compete for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics. But then … she was disqualified.

According to Echikunwoke, the African Federation of Nigeria had not submitted the proper documentation for her doping test prior to the Games, and so she was not allowed to compete.

“I can’t even begin to explain how heartbroken I am,” Echikunwoke wrote on Instagram after her disqualification. “It honestly feels like a fever dream. When I think about all those hours of throwing sessions, hundreds of heavy lifts, all those moments when my body aches and I remind myself ‘it will be worth it’ to just keep going, to sacrifice time with loved ones… and all I’m left with is a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“We cannot allow something like this to happen again to athletes, to have dreams shattered and opportunities crushed.”

Three years later, Echikunwoke, who lives in Ohio, enters the fray for a silver medal for the United States, and wins it on Tuesday.

Echikunwoke threw a season record of 75.48 meters on her third throw, good for second place behind Canada’s Camryn Rogers (76.97).