Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and Patience Okon-George are expected to depart the country for London on Thursday night ahead of the 2017 World Athletics Championships in the English capital.

The world athletics showpiece begins at the London Stadium on Friday, and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria found itself battling to secure the potential medalists visas to the United Kingdom.

However, it is understood that the British High Commission finally agreed to grant 100m hurdler Amusan (20), long jumper Brume (20) and 400m runner Okon-George (25) their visas on Wednesday after days of pressure from the Federal Government and the International Association of Athletics Federations.

It was learnt learnt that the AFN Secretary-General Amaechi Akawo’s entry visas request to the UK was also granted by the high commission.

The high commission, who denied some of the athletes, coaches and officials visas, directed the AFN to pick up the passports of those whose visa requests were granted on Thursday morning.

Spokesman for the national athletics body Dare Esan, who confirmed the development in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday night, said the AFN was delighted to have secured visas for the athletes.

The ace athletics writer also confirmed that United States-based trio Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (shot putter), Edose Ibadin (800m runner) and Lindsay Lindley (100m hurdles) arrived in London on Wednesday ahead of the worlds.

Six-time national 100m champion and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games double sprint champion Blessing Okagbare arrived in London on Tuesday to step up her preparations for the competition.

Report by Miyen Akiri