Nigeria’s first Olympic gold-medalist Chioma Ajunwa says athletes don’t get enough support
Nigerian track and field legend Chioma Ajunwa has shed light on the challenges faced by athletes in Nigeria, revealing that she received minimal support from the country in preparation for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Ajunwa made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win a gold medal at the Games with her remarkable 7.12m leap in the women’s long jump event.
Ajunwa, who secured her gold medal just a day before Nigeria’s Dream Team won gold in football, recounted her journey in an interview with Channels TV. She explained that despite her monumental achievement, she struggled to get the necessary support from Nigeria’s sports authorities.
“Winning the Olympics was the best thing to ever happen to me,” Ajunwa said. “I never thought I would get the gold medal, but God blessed me with it.”
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She highlighted that her success was largely due to her own hard work and the support of Chief Dr. Segun Odegbami, a former Green Eagles legend, who helped her get the training she needed abroad. “I worked very hard, personally, not with the help of Nigeria, but with the help of God and Chief Dr. Segun Odegbami, who took me outside the country to make sure I got good training,” she added.
Ajunwa criticized the Nigerian athletics federation for its lack of support and poor management of athletes. She emphasised that winning an Olympic medal requires years of preparation and proper support, which she feels is often lacking in Nigeria.
“To win an Olympic medal is not an easy thing. Every country comes to the Olympics with the aim of winning gold,” Ajunwa noted. “For you to prepare, they give you four years. It’s not something you can achieve in six months or three months.”
She further criticized the current state of athlete training in Nigeria, stating that athletes often train without proper oversight and support. “Athletes are preparing on their own. It’s like going to training and deciding to press your phone instead of focusing on your workout,” she said. “When athletes train alone, they relax when tired, but with coaches, they are motivated to push through.”
Ajunwa called for significant improvements in the training and support systems for Nigerian athletes, emphasising that proper arrangements and monitoring are crucial for their success. “Our country needs to make proper arrangements for the training of our athletes,” she concluded.
