EUGENE, Oregon—A few days before the hammer thrower from Ohio was scheduled to compete and represent Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics, she was informed she couldn’t.
Over a federation error concerning drug testing. On her 25th birthday.
“Beyond heartbreaking,” Annette Echikunwoke said.
No chance to walk at opening ceremonies, either (her team uniform didn’t arrive in time). The only memory was a pretend practice throw inside the Olympic hammer ring.
It all led her to this: Switching countries, an arduous task with her application finally coming through at the last minute before the US nationals. She earned a spot at the world championships, where she’ll wear the red, white and blue.
Which is why she celebrated in an All-American way when she qualified: A juicy burger and fries at a fast food restaurant (no milkshake, though, she’s dairy-free).
“It honestly feels very redemptive,” Echikunwoke said of making Team USA as she qualified Friday for the final of the hammer throw at the world championships with an mark of 238 feet, 2 inches (72.60 meters). “I’m just so grateful.”
Echikunwoke (pronounced: eh-CHI-koo-wokay) grew up in Pickerington, Ohio, the oldest of four kids. Her dad, Godwin, works for the state government as an auditor. Her mom, Christiana, is a nurse. Both are from Nigeria.
Family pride. That’s why the standout thrower from the University of Cincinnati decided to wear the green-and-white of Nigeria last summer in Tokyo. She earned a spot by winning her country’s trials.
First, a rumbling that something might be amiss as the Nigerian team trained outside the city a few day before the Summer Games. Paperwork problems with drug testing leading into the Olympics, they were hearing. Still needed to be sorted out.
“I was like, ‘No way this is happening,’” Echikunwoke said.
Hammer thrower changes nation to US, makes final at worlds
AP
EUGENE, Oregon—A few days before the hammer thrower from Ohio was scheduled to compete and represent Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics, she was informed she couldn’t.
Over a federation error concerning drug testing. On her 25th birthday.
“Beyond heartbreaking,” Annette Echikunwoke said.
No chance to walk at opening ceremonies, either (her team uniform didn’t arrive in time). The only memory was a pretend practice throw inside the Olympic hammer ring.
It all led her to this: Switching countries, an arduous task with her application finally coming through at the last minute before the US nationals. She earned a spot at the world championships, where she’ll wear the red, white and blue.
Which is why she celebrated in an All-American way when she qualified: A juicy burger and fries at a fast food restaurant (no milkshake, though, she’s dairy-free).
“It honestly feels very redemptive,” Echikunwoke said of making Team USA as she qualified Friday for the final of the hammer throw at the world championships with an mark of 238 feet, 2 inches (72.60 meters). “I’m just so grateful.”
Echikunwoke (pronounced: eh-CHI-koo-wokay) grew up in Pickerington, Ohio, the oldest of four kids. Her dad, Godwin, works for the state government as an auditor. Her mom, Christiana, is a nurse. Both are from Nigeria.
Family pride. That’s why the standout thrower from the University of Cincinnati decided to wear the green-and-white of Nigeria last summer in Tokyo. She earned a spot by winning her country’s trials.
First, a rumbling that something might be amiss as the Nigerian team trained outside the city a few day before the Summer Games. Paperwork problems with drug testing leading into the Olympics, they were hearing. Still needed to be sorted out.
“I was like, ‘No way this is happening,’” Echikunwoke said.
“She wanted to make sure that the world can see what she’s capable of,” Seaton said of Echikunwoke, who earned a spot in the final Sunday. “Because she got so close to the (Olympic) dream that every athlete has at some point. That got taken away from her, the opportunity to compete and measure yourself against the best in the world.”
To celebrate a year-long, emotionally draining journey, she went the burger and fries route after the nationals. The funny thing: It was actually the meal she wanted on her recruiting trip to Cincinnati years ago, with Seaton and her family pushing for pasta instead.
“A full-circle moment,” Echikunwoke said of the burger experience, along with representing a new nation at a major meet. “I’m excited — excited to represent Team USA.”