By Tony Ubani
PRESIDENT of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba yesterday named a 31-man contingent that will represent the country at this month's 2012 London Olympic Games.
Ogba, looking fulfilled after leading Team Nigeria to win the Africa's Athletics Championships in Port Novo ahead of Kenya and South Africa expressed hope that Team Nigeria would do well in London Olympics.
But he quickly said he did not expect any of his athletes to outshine Jamaican Johan Blake or Usain Bolt. World's fastest man, Usain Bolt was beaten by Yohan Blake in the 200m final at the Jamaican Olympic trials – the world record holder's second loss to his rival in 48 hours.
Ogba, told journalists yesterday at the boardroom of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) that the athletes were selected based on their form which climaxed at the Porto Novo meet.
With Team Nigeria setting four of the five new records at the African meet in Porto Novo, Ogba said he was confident that the athletes would do the nation proud in London.
"Before arriving with this list, we had given all the athletes opportunities to prove themselves and after testing them with series of competitions we now arrived with this list. I believe anybody going to the Olympics must have something to offer. After re-assessing the athletes, we have come out with a strong 31-man team, made up of 18 women and 13 men, who will compete in the athletics event of the Olympics," Ogba said.
"There are some athletes I felt would not make it but it was at Porto Novo that they were able to convince me that they are capable. With what the team did at the African meet, I can say I am proud of the team and I believe they have the wherewithal to make it to the semifinal of the Olympics. I am also sure that we will surpass our achievements in Beijing 2008 at the London 2012 Olympics."
He added that the selected athletes would be fine-tuned at the Surrey Camp of the team in London, adding that some top American coaches have been engaged to join the national coach, Innocent Egbunike, in the final preparation.
"The three athletes on probation have until July 6 to make the standard for the Olympics, which will increase the number to 34. But for now, we have also cautioned the athletes that making the list does not guarantee that they will automatically compete at the Olympics because we expect them to be in top form for the games.
"We are hoping that the athletes will do well at the games and for me I am sure that we will surpass the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games," Ogba who was supported by first Vice President of the NOC, Col. Jonathan Nnaji, Sec-Gen Tunde Popoola, NSC Director, Dr Abimbola and Prince Henry Amike said
Vanguard Nigeria