Grapevine

Team Nigeria begin 4x100m relays today

The women’s team of Favour Ofili, Tima Godbless, Rosemary Chukwuma, Olayinka Olajide, and Justina Eyakpobeyan will fancy their chances of progressing to the next stage, running in lane 4 against Trinidad and Tobago (2), Spain (3), the Netherlands (5), France (6), Great Britain (7), Canada (8), and Jamaica (9).

Whilst the Nigerian men have an outside chance of reaching the podium, the women are more likely to increase the country’s medal haul in the Olympics relay events, with Udo-Obong, who anchored the country to gold in the men’s 4x400m at Sydney 2000 and bronze in Athens 2004, tipping them to shine.

“It’s difficult for us to predict because athletes come in different forms, but I will say our women’s 4x100m team look very good. That’s our strongest team, in my opinion. When you add women’s 100m hurdles and women’s long jump, we have a competitive edge.” Udo-Obong, who is now the technical advisor to the Saudi Arabia Athletics Development Programme, told our correspondent.

Akani, who is also the founder of the athletics movement Making of Champions, also tipped the quartet for success.

“I will say from the relays perspective, we do have a great opportunity to pick up one or two medals. The women’s 4x100m is a strong team, especially when you add Tobi Amusan to the list. The men’s 4x100m as well is a strong team if the athletes like Favour Ahse and Godson Brume can replicate their time from the NCAA.”