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Blessing Okagbare

Sydney 2000 Olympic Games men’s 4x400m gold medallist Clement Chukwu has lent his support for Blessing Okagbare, despite the Nigeria medal hopeful coming last in the final of the women’s 100m event at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing on Monday.

Double Olympic champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who beat Okagbare to second place in the semi-finals, retained her world 100m title in blistering fashion at the Bird’s Nest, holding off Dafne Schippers (Netherlands), to win in 10.76 seconds.

Jamaican Natasha Morrison and Okagbare (both 11.02), were way behind the crowd, as they finished seventh and eighth respectively.

“She gave her very best; unfortunately her best was not good enough to earn her a place on the medal podium. I’m not in a good position to criticise her because I have been there before. It’s not as easy as we think,” Chukwu said.

Okagbare is Nigeria’s only athlete with a realistic chance of claiming a medal at the IAAF Championships. Chukwu said the Athletic Federation of Nigeria contributed to the situation, by not encouraging young athletes.

He cited the issue of up-and-coming triple jumper Olumide Olamigoke, who got a wild card to compete in Beijing but was reportedly dropped by the AFN.

The US-based ex-athlete stated, “This is a good time to raise the issue of the invited triple jumper that was frustrated by the AFN. The opportunity given to this kid was stolen from his very eyes. Now tell me, how does a country encourage its young athletes? This is mismanagement at its best.”