American-born Tiffany Adaez Ofili ruled eligible to compete for UK
Tiffany Adaeze Ofili has been cleared to compete for Britain by the International Association of Athletics Federations. The World Junior bronze medallist in the 100m hurdles has dual citizenship for the
United States and the UK.
She was born in Michigan, but her mother was British, and she carries a British passport. She competed at the 2006 World Junior Championships for the US, but the IAAF ruled her eligible to compete for
Britain because three years have passed since that competition, in which time she did not compete for the US in any other competitions.
“I am ecstatic to represent Great Britain in athletics henceforth,” said Ofili. “I will continue to work hard and improve upon my performances to be the best world-class athlete that I can be.”
She currently trains at the University of Michigan, but has stated that she will be training in the UK during the summer months next year.
Ofili is not in the top 20 in world ranking, but she is ranked ahead of Jess Ennis after a 12.85 second season best run. Ennis was ranked number one in Britain after winning gold at the European Championships
and the World Indoor Championships early this year.
Both Ofili and Ennis have run close to the British 100m hurdle record of 12.80, set in 1996 by Angie Thorp. Ofili has her 12.85 run from this season, and Ennis ran a 12.81, her personal best, in 2009.
Both will be challenging to break the British record next year in a season that includes the World Championships in South Korea.
Neither will compete in the Commonwealth games coming up in October in Delhi which has already seen a number of athletes drop out, including long distance runner Mo Farah. Instead Britain will send Louise
Hazel, who specializes in the heptathlon, to run the 100m hurdles in Delhi.
Many athletes have dropped out of the Commonwealth Games to rest their bodies after a long season. The World Championships are held only every other year, and many are worried about not being prepared
for it in 2011.
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