Nigerian sprinter Alaba Akintola continued his 2024 outdoor campaign with a strong showing at the Florida Relays, racing to a season’s best of 20.77s (-0.8) in the Men’s 200m Olympic Development section to secure a third-place finish.
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The event, held at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida, featured a competitive field, with Olympic gold medalist Andre De Grasse of Canada taking the win in 20.32s, while Robert Gregory claimed second with 20.72s.
Despite facing a slight headwind, Akintola showcased good form and steady progress as he builds up for the rest of the season.
His performance marks a significant improvement on his previous season outings, and places him among the top Nigerian sprinters making waves on the U.S. collegiate and professional circuits.
De Grasse’s commanding win underscores his return to form as he continues preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, while Gregory’s strong run reflects his growing reputation on the U.S. sprint scene.
Akintola, a former standout at Middle Tennessee State University, will be looking to carry this momentum into upcoming competitions as he eyes qualification for the Olympics and further international representation for Nigeria.
