China Denies Involvement in Visa Delay That Halted Nigerian Athletes from World Relays

China Denies Involvement in Visa Delay That Halted Nigerian Athletes from World Relays

The Chinese government has publicly distanced itself from the visa delays that prevented Nigerian athletes from participating in the World Athletics Relays, held recently in the Bahamas.

Reports had earlier circulated suggesting that the Chinese Embassy may have played a role in holding up the athletes’ travel documents. However, in a firm response, Chinese authorities stated they were not responsible for the setbacks, emphasizing that all necessary processes on their end were followed appropriately and without intentional delay.

The situation has sparked widespread frustration among sports fans and officials in Nigeria, as the absence of Team Nigeria meant a missed opportunity to qualify for major upcoming global events, including the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Athletics officials are now calling for a deeper investigation to identify where the lapse occurred and ensure such logistical failures do not reoccur especially when national pride and athlete careers are on the line.

The affected athletes, many of whom had trained for months, have been left deeply disappointed but hopeful for future chances to represent the country on the global stage.