Grapevine

Oshonaike recounts IOC election experience

Despite coming seventh in the election contested by over 100 globally renowned athletes, the 50-year-old relished the experience and wished the successful four contestants the best of luck.

The post read, “The road to Paris 2024 was unlike any other Olympic journey I’ve undertaken. This time, I wasn’t just competing on the field; I was there to represent Nigeria in the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) election. The qualification process began last year, with 100 athletes from different countries vying for a spot in this prestigious election. Out of those 100, I was one of the 30 Olympians who qualified to represent their country—a moment of immense pride for me.

“However, when I saw the other 29 candidates, my heart skipped a beat. Many of them came from countries with larger contingents and far more global recognition than mine. I knew this was going to be a tough battle. But one thing about me is that I am a fighter, a person who believes that nothing is impossible.

“The voting began on the 18th and was set to conclude on the 7th. I arrived at the Olympic Village on the 21st, ready to start my campaign. What followed were some of the most stressful, challenging, and difficult days of my life since I first competed in the Olympics back in 1996. My campaign days started at 10 AM and didn’t end until 9 PM. The sun and heat were relentless, but I pushed through, running after athletes, urging them to vote for me. Some shunned me, and others expressed their disdain for politics. But there were also those who listened, eager to learn more about the election and why their vote mattered.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster. I cried, I felt weak and exhausted, and I even lost my voice. But through it all, I never gave up. I kept going because I believed that I could be a strong voice for Olympians around the world.