Nigeria has long been known for its vibrant track and field scene, as the nation kicks off its pursuit of medals in this field, the focus is on mixed relays and throwing events.
The track and field events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games began yesterday morning, Nigerians will be looking sky-high towards the country’s mixed 4x400m relay team to give yearning companions something to cheer in the face of fading hopes in some of the events already concluded.
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The mixed quartet will need to surpass the 3:12.87 African record they set in finishing fourth at the World Relays in May in the Bahamas to secure a lane in Saturday’s final.
Today, the Nigerians quartet has been drawn in the second semifinal heat released Wednesday by World Athletics ahead of the event today and will battle for one of the three automatic qualification tickets with Great Britain, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and the Dominican Republic.
Three of the countries, Italy (3:10.69), Netherlands (3:10.73), and Ireland (3:09.92) have run faster than Nigeria this year while Great Britain has the strongest squad in the group.
On the women’s side, they have two athletes, Amber Anning (49.51) and Laviai Nielsen (49.87) who have broken 50 seconds this year, and ‘Nigerian’, Victoria Ohuruogu (50.76) who is also available.
The Irish, complete with their ‘Nigerian’ star, Rhasidat Adeleke, edged Nigeria to the bronze medal in the Bahamas to set a new 3:11.53 national record. Since then, Adeleke has set a new 49.20 lifetime best, which may just be the difference in Paris.
The Dominican Republic will hope Marileidy Paulino, the reigning world champion who led them to the Mixed 4x400m relay gold in 2022 at the World Athletics Championships, can get them across the finish line into the final while the Italians who have run faster than Nigeria this year will hope Luca Sito, who has done a 44.75 this year and ‘Nigerian’, Ayomide Folorunsho, the 400m hurdles runner who they can call upon can see them through.
Before the relays, high jumper, Temitope Adeshina, took to the field of Stade de France at 10.15 am this morning to kickstart her campaign for a medal.
The Nigerian made that cut three years ago but finished last in the final classification and made it among the first nine in today’s event. Although she did not qualify for the next round she surpassed her previous record.
Enekwechi has been in great form this season and set a new 21.99m Nigerian record and lifetime best in May but knows he needs to throw well above 22.00m to make history in Paris.
A 22m throw will mean Enekwechi will become the first Nigerian to hit that mark which will be a great achievement on its own.
