Kenyan taekwondo star Faith Ogallo was “crushed” after being reduced to being a spectator at African taekwondo qualifying in February when she missed her weigh-in.

The 30-year-old, a self-funded athlete who depends on her family for support during Olympic cycles, was hoping to book her second appearance at the Games.

Ogallo claimed she was ultimately disqualified from the event in Senegal because of a delay by Kenya Taekwondo Federation (KTF) in paying her registration fee.

“It took me time to accept the reality,” she told BBC Sport Africa.

“It was only my family members who are able to counsel me. I was so down.

“Then, slowly, they motivated me from there. I got back on track.”

KTF told BBC Sport Africa that the registration fee had been paid on time but that Ogallo failed to weigh in on time because of a lack of an accreditation card – which was her responsibility.

“It wasn’t the federation’s error,” a statement said. “The events that unfolded [were] not caused by team officials.”

Ogallo says KTF has now promised to ensure she gets sponsorship for 2028, but her failure to compete in Paris has left her jaded.

She is taking time out to focus on other passions, including climate activism.

“I had to get back quickly to championing climate change actions, to continue doing my things,” Ogallo said.

“I also had to go back to school, to do a course in healthcare and have more skills on social work.

“Besides training, I’m doing extra things in the society. I have to mentor, I have to empower.”