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Obikwelu Disowns Nigeria Says 'I'm Portuguese' From Emeka Enechi and Pius Ayinor in Athens As Nigerians pray hard to get on the medals table with just four days to the end of the Olympics, the country's closest link to the table Francis Obikwelu has disowned Nigeria. After a breath taking performance to win the 100m silver medal, the former Nigerian runner told the world press he had nothing to do with Nigeria. "Let's not talk about that, let's talk about my country Portugal. I'm Portuguese. I am very happy and very contented to win this for Portugal," the sprinter burst out in reply to a question on his change of nationality. The athlete, who joined the world's elite as a runner for his country of birth, changed allegiance to the European country after the Sydney 2000 Olympics just as Glory Alozie also became a Spanish flag carrier. While in the green and white colours, the sprinter who suffered injuries at crucial competition never got to this height. He was the cynosure of all eyes as he powered home in the last 40metres to pick up the silver medal despite the American challenge from the trio of Justin Gatlin, who won the race, Sydney 2000 champion Maurice Greene and Shawn Crawford. Obikwelu finished with a time 9.86 in a race dubbed the 'closest finish in the Olympic 100m'. Gatlin performed to 9.85 for the gold while Greene who was out dipped by the ex-Nigerian marked 9.87- the same time he finished to win the gold four years ago in Australia. Crawford finished in a good time of 9.89 but still missed the medal. On the race itself, Obikwelu said the result was a product of four years of hard work. "It's one of the biggest moments of my life. You work hard for four years and it comes and it's something I have waited all my life for." Obikwelu drew serious attention from the media and spectators in the early morning race (00.12am local time) not just because he carried the Portuguese flag, but because he nearly beat the Americans to their trade mark race."I thought I was there, winning the race. I couldn't see him (Gatlin). I relaxed, if I chased him I would have lost the match," he said. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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