Sheer determination gave us bronze - Udo-Obong
By Taiwo Alimi
Snr.
Correspondent,
Lagos
The bronze medal
feat of Nigeria’s 4x400 team at the Athens Olympics has been attributed
to personal conviction of the team members against all odds.
The anchorman of
the team Enefiok Udo-Obong said they were perhaps the only ones who believed
that they could come out with a medal at the Olympics.
“We came into
the final with the least of hope based on the fact that Nigeria was rated 16th
by the IAAF but we spoke to
ourselves and realised that we could do it if we really put our mind to
it”, said Udo-Obong.
The Sydney Olympics
silver medallist added that sheer determination and doggedness took them
through the race. “We simply refused to give up and that was exactly why
we got the bronze. We almost did not think that a medal was possible but we had
a great lot of support from all Africans and the fact that 10 million Nigerians
were watching is inspiring.”
Enefiok whose path
has been dogged by injury missed the All Africa Games in Abuja last year said
he was happy to return to the tracks at the Olympics. “I can’t tell
you what I have been through and how
the same people that celebrated me in Sydney refused to support me when
I got injured but I am happy that I returned to the Olympics and again
instrumental to a medal. God, I say, is my strenght and would not forsake
me”.
On the race won by
the United States of America he had this to say, "I had a lot of work to
do. I had my eye on the opponents and never thought about the Australians and
tried not to panic when I was over taken by the Australian guy. I tried to race
as I planned and fought my way through."
Enefiok is joining
the few legends in the world that have won medals at successive Olympics.
