The much-awaited, most anticipated, and glamorous sporting event in the world, The Tokyo Olympics is still set to be held this summer as the world’s best athletes prepare to finally go for gold.
The 2020 Summer Games had to be postponed by a year, no thanks to the worldwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the International Olympic Committee are working hard to make sure the Games go ahead in Japan this summer. While several key logistical issues remain, Tokyo is preparing itself to host the showpiece global event in just a few months from now. As countries fasten their seat belt to begin hostilities, Nigeria is not left out of the preparation for the games. So says the honorable minister of youth and sports development, Sunday Dare.
Speaking at the press conference on the evaluation of the Nigerian athletes ahead of Tokyo Olympics, Dare said the team is gathering momentum as we prepare for the Olympics games.
As it’s known that big names in sports play a huge role, especially in big sports, Dare highlights the growth attained by the young and upcoming athletes. “What really gladdens my heart is that the young athletes are now setting personal best records and the spirit of competitiveness has taken over them and that means that the future if Nigeria track and field event is great.”
According to the minister, preparations are in full gear, and Nigeria this time is not just ready to participate but to make a mark. “Preparations are ongoing, some of them will not make it to the pages of newspapers. We have several plans running almost concurrently, just last week, eight other Olympics bound athletes were adopted bringing the total of adopted athletes to fifteen and you know what that means. We hope that we can adopt forty of them eventually.” Dare emphasizes.
The Games will hold 339 events in 33 different sports with a total of 50 disciplines. This Olympics will see the introduction of four new sports with karate, sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding making their debuts. Baseball and softball will return for the first time since 2008. There will also be new disciplines including 3×3 basketball, freestyle BMX, and madison cycling.
