Nigerian Favour Ofili Shatters World 150m Record at the Atlanta City Games
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The 2024 Adidas Atlanta City Games delivered an electrifying showcase of speed and athleticism, with records shattered and personal bests redefined. From Favour Ofili’s history-making 150m sprint to Carey McLeod’s soaring long jump, athletes from around the globe lit up Piedmont Park in one of the most competitive street track meets ever staged. Here's a breakdown of the biggest moments from a day that pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on the track and in the air.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili stole the spotlight with a historic performance in the women’s 150m, clocking a blistering 15.85 seconds—the fastest time ever recorded for the rarely-run event on a straight track. The previous best was 16.23 by Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo in 2018. Ofili’s strategy? “Treat it like it’s a long 100m,” she said after the race. “Drive more. The track is bouncy. Just let the track do the work.” Runner-up Tamari Davis also broke the previous record with a time of 16.14.
South Africa’s Akani Simbine won the men’s 100m in 9.86 seconds, aided by a 2.3 m/s tailwind. Jamaican Deandre Daley took third in 10.12 behind Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike (10.05).
In the women’s 100m hurdles, American Keni Harrison continued to show top form, winning in 12.30 seconds with a slight tailwind above the legal limit. Though it won't count as a record, it reaffirms her elite status just weeks after her national record fell. Harrison still holds a legal best of 12.20 from 2016, which stood as the world record for six years.
The field events brought their own drama. Jamaica’s Carey McLeod led the men’s long jump with a massive 8.33m leap, outjumping Italy’s Mattia Furlani (8.28m) and Guyana’s Emmanuel Archibald, who set a national record at 8.22m. Fellow Jamaican Nikaoli Williams also impressed with a personal best of 8.13m for fourth place.
Sprinting action continued with the men’s 200m straight final, where Zharnel Hughes won in 19.55, edging Trinidad & Tobago’s Jereem Richards (19.63) and 400m world record holder Wayde Van Niekerk (20.03). In the men’s elite 100m, South Africa’s Akani Simbine posted a fast 9.86 with a 2.3m/s tailwind, ahead of Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike (10.05) and Jamaica’s Deandre Daley (10.12).
Trey Cunningham dominated the 110m hurdles in 13.16, followed by Freddie Crittenden (13.33) and Orlando Bennett (13.55). In the men’s 150m, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala blazed to a win in 14.70, holding off Bahamian Terrence Jones (14.93) and American Matthew Boling (15.15).
