The Nigeria women's 4x100 meters relay team will not compete at the Olympics, for the first time since 1992 Barcelona.

The relay team has been knocked off the list of top 16 qualifying nations as the female 4x100 meters relay team dropped to 17th on July 6.

The team needed to compete in selected European meets to boost their rankings and stay on the top 16 list of nations for the relay event. But the team had difficulty qualifying for events for Beijing.

The sports ministry also lacked funds to take most of the events and the relay teams could not go abroad to participate in many meets.

Only 16 berths are set for each relay event. Thailand pushed Nigeria out of the top 16 and the Nigerian male 4x400m relay team, ranked 20th in the world, are also out of the relay event in Beijing.

The team was to run a meet in Germany and in Switzerland this week but the Athletics Federation of Nigeria had visa and flight issues and so they could not make it.

"We couldn't make the trip due to unforeseen circumstances. I am heading back to Abuja to consult with the NSC on what action to take next," an official said.

Uche Isaac, a sprinter said it is medicine after death. "It is a shame that we are not going to present our women 4x100 meters.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2008)