2020 Tokyo Olympics: Nigeria Must Break 20-year Medals Jinx – Sports Minister
The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, says Nigeria must be on course to shine at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and break the 20-year old jinx of not winning any gold medal since Sydney 2000 games.
Dare said strong partnership and synergy among relevant stakeholders is required to ensure Nigeria is on the gold medals’ table at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Speaking with journalists after receiving the Team Nigeria contingent that took part in the 12th African Games at Morocco, Dare commended the athletes for doing a great job at the continental sports fiesta
According to the minister, “This is a team of champions. Members of the team have been professional and committed. In spite of all odds, they came out tops just behind Egypt on the medals table.
“The result of Morocco signposts what is going to happen at Tokyo Olympics, We will go there and win not just one gold medal; but more gold Medals by the grace of God.”
“This is a team that is very inspiring and we intend to keep them together”, the Minister assured.
Nigeria last won an Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the men’s 4x400m. The medal was formally awarded to Nigeria eight years later following the disqualification of the original first placed quartet, Team USA on grounds of doping infractions.
Nigeria’s participation in the Olympics started in 1952 and the country only won its first gold medal at Atlanta in 1996 in football and long jump through the Dream Team and Policewoman, Chioma Ajunwa.
Since then, the country’s medal haul at this quadrennial global sporting carnival includes three gold; 10 silver; and 12 bronze medals.
At the 2016 Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Nigeria managed just a single bronze medal in the football event. The next Olympics will be holding from July 24 to August 9, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria, which came overall second at the just-concluded African Games in Rabat, Morocco, return to Abuja on Sunday evening to the warm embrace of stakeholders in the nation’s sports industry
