Diack laments dearth of Olympic medals in Nigeria

The inability of Nigeria to win more medals in the Olympic Games and World Championships in recent years is a source of worry to an influential member of the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA).

Showing his concern at the trend during the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River Athletics Championships, a major marketer of the CAA, Thierno Alassane Diack says it's high time the trend is reverse.

Diack said with the caliber of athletes in the country, there is no reason the country is finding it hard to win Olympic medals.

The Senegalese stated that there was a time in Senegal where there were up to 15 Nigerian athletes running for Senegal but that the trend has changed as most Nigerian athletes are now running for European countries.

On the choice of Gloria Asumnu, the former US athlete deciding to run for Nigeria, Diack said the president of the Nigeria Athletics Federation should be commended for trying to bring back all athletes back to the country.

"Nigeria is a great country and it pains me when I see its athletes not winning medals at the Olympics. I really don't know why it is happening because when it comes to Africa, Nigeria has some of the best athletes to compete with.

"There were times when we have up to 15 Nigerian athletes running for Senegal but that has reduced tremendously.

"With the running of Gloria Asumnu in this trial, it shows that the AFN president has done his home work well, he should be commended for trying to bring back all Nigerian athletes running for other countries."

It will be recalled that Asumnu, in her first race for Nigeria, ran the 100m women race against Blessing Okagbare and Damola Osayomi and came third 11.36 seconds.