Just in: Olympics: Favour Ofili defeats Britain’s Asher Smith to win Heat 6, qualifies for women’s 200m semifinals

By Samuel Akpan in Paris

Nigeria’s sprint star Favour Ofili cruised into the semifinals of the women’s 200m on Sunday with 22.24s, reigniting Nigeria’s hope of a podium finish at the Olympics.

Nigeria’s track star executed a successful race plan to win heat 6, defeating Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who finished 2nd in 22.28s, and Gina Bass-Bittaye, who finished 3rd in 22.84s.

Earlier, Shericka Jackson withdrew from the women’s 200m race at the Paris Olympics.

The news broke out on Sunday morning, just a few minutes before she was set to take part in Heat 3 at Stade de France.

This comes only a few hours after another Jamaican powerhouse, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, was a no-show in the women’s 100m.