Nigeria, Sept. 15 -- When Samuel Ogazi toed the line for Nigeria in the men's 400m at the 20th World Athletics Championships, many expected the teenage sensation to light up the track the way he had all season. But what unfolded was far from his sparkling form, and now the 19-year-old has revealed why.

The reigning NCAA 400m champion and Paris 2024 Olympic finalist, speaking to reporters in Tokyo afterwards, disclosed that he was compelled to compete despite being unwell, unfit, and unprepared. According to him, officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) pressured him to run even after he raised health concerns.

"First of all, I told the Team Nigeria officials I wasn't prepared for this race because my hamstring is bothering...