Cindy Ofili

Cindy Ofili (born 5 August 1994) is an American-born British track and field athlete, specialising in sprint hurdles. She finished fourth in the 100 metres hurdles final at the 2016 Olympic Games. Her best times, 12.60 secs for the 100 metres hurdles in 2015, and 7.89 secs for the 60 metres hurdles indoors in 2016, rank her third on the British all-time list for both events behind her sister and British record-holder, Tiffany Porter and Olympic champion helptathlete, Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Cindy Ofili

Ofili at the 2015 World Championships
Personal information
Nationality	British, American
Born	(1994-08-05) 5 August 1994 Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Sport
Country	United Kingdom
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	60 metres hurdles 100 metres hurdles 60 metres 200 metres
College team	University of Michigan
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	12.60 (100 m hurdles) 7.89i (60 m hurdles)

Biography

Ofili is a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and the younger sister of fellow hurdler Tiffany Porter (née Ofili); as her mother is British, she was born with both American and British citizenship.[1][2] In 2014, her sophomore year at the University of Michigan, Ofili qualified for the 60 m hurdles final at the NCAA indoor championships, placing sixth in a personal best 8.07; outdoors, she broke 13 seconds in the 100 m hurdles for the first time, winning the Big Ten conference championship in 12.93.[3] In addition to hurdling, she competed in the sprints, setting Michigan indoor school records at both 60 metres (7.37) and 200 metres (23.69).[4]

Ofili's times improved in 2015, and she became a leading collegiate hurdler;[5] at the NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene she placed second in a personal best 12.60, losing only to Keni Harrison of Kentucky.[6] She also qualified for the NCAA championship meet in the flat 100 m, but despite running a school record 11.39 she was eliminated in the semi-finals in that event.[3][4]

Ofili could have chosen to internationally represent either the United States, Great Britain or Nigeria (her father's country of origin); in June 2015 it was announced that she had selected Britain, following her older sister Tiffany Porter.[1] The move caused some controversy in Britain, with detractors labeling Ofili a "plastic Brit"; Ofili, who unlike her sister had not represented the United States as a junior, stated she felt British.[7] At the 2015 British championships Ofili placed second to Porter in 12.96, qualifying to represent Britain later that summer at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.[2][8]

Ofili finished fourth in the 100m hurdles final at the 2016 Rio Olympics, in 12.63 secs.

International competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Great Britain
2015	World Championships	Beijing, China	13th (sf)	100 m hurdles	12.91
2016	Olympic Games	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	4th	100 m hurdles	12.63
2019	World Championships	Doha, Qatar	15th (sf)	100 m hurdles	12.95
(sf) Indicates overall position in semifinals

References

1. "Cindy Ofili and Zharnel Hughes have GB allegiance confirmed". Athletics Weekly. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
2. "Tiffany Porter and Cindy Ofili secure GB places at world championships". The Guardian. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
3. Cindy Ofili at Tilastopaja (registration required)
4. "Cindy Ofili Bio". mgoblue.com. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
5. Jennings, Chantel (10 June 2015). "Michigan Hurdler Cindy Ofili Emerges From Her Star Sister's Shadow". ESPN. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
6. Minshull, Phil (14 June 2015). "Little wins NCAA 400m hurdles in world-leading 53.74". International Association of Athletics Federations. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
7. Bloom, Ben (2 July 2015). "Cindy Ofili insists she feels British despite being US-born". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
8. "Ennis-Hill named in British team for IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015". International Association of Athletics Federations. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.

External links

• Cindy Ofili at World Athletics