\n<\/p>\n
Kenyan taekwondo star Faith Ogallo was \u201ccrushed\u201d after being reduced to being a spectator at African taekwondo qualifying in February when she missed her weigh-in.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took me time to accept the reality,\u201d she told BBC Sport Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was only my family members who are able to counsel me. I was so down.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen, slowly, they motivated me from there. I got back on track.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 which was her responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t the federation\u2019s error,\u201d a statement said. \u201cThe events that unfolded [were] not caused by team officials.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ogallo says KTF has now promised to ensure she gets sponsorship for 2028, but her failure to compete in Paris has left her jaded.<\/p>\n
She is taking time out to focus on other passions, including climate activism.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to get back quickly to championing climate change actions, to continue doing my things,\u201d Ogallo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also had to go back to school, to do a course in healthcare and have more skills on social work.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides training, I’m doing extra things in the society. I have to mentor, I have to empower.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n