Daily Independent Online.
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Tuesday, August 24, 2004.
Obikwelu happy to win for Portugal
By Taiwo Alimi
Snr.
Correspondent,
Lagos
Nigeria born Portugal sprinter and silver
medallist in the 100m of the ongoing Athens games Francis Obikwelu has
described his decision to switch nationality as the best thing to have happened
to him.
The sprinter who dumped his fatherland
Nigeria shortly before the Sydney Olympics told reporters after the 100m final
Sunday night he is happy to run for his adopted country. "Let's not talk
about Nigeria, l’ll rather like to talk about my country, Portugal, I'm
Portuguese. I'm very happy and very contented to win this for Portugal."
Obikwelu wasted no time in dismissing
question on his country of origin hinting that he was gratefull for the manner
the people and officials of Portugal stood by him during his trying times.
This win is one of the biggest moments of
my life. You work hard for four years and it comes and it's something I've
waited all my life for. There is no way I could have achieved this without the
support of officials and people who stood by me in time of trouble. It is quite
great that I could win for Portugal”.
An exhilarating Obikwelu threw caution to
the wind after the race as he took a lap of honour round the track armed with
the Portuguese flag. Interestingly, a good number of Portuguese were around to
cheer him on.
"I was not surprised. I knew I was ready. Yesterday I was
very tired, I had two bad nights of sleep, but after the semifinal and a
session with my physiotherapist and I was really ready. I would like to thank
God and the Portuguese people for giving me strength."
He added that he’s already looking
forward to the another medal in the 200m which is actally his speciality
"I'd loved to make the double. I'm not saying I'm the best, but I have
very serious chances."
