Blessing Okagbare
Blessing Okagbare no doubt knows the huge expectation being placed on her by many Nigerians to excel at the Olympics.
She has raised their hopes high with sterling performances at the African Championships in Port Novo and the Diamond League.
She is also receiving rave reviews from the British press on the hot legs for the women 100 m.
But she is not swayed by that as she revealed yesterday that while Nigerians are placing their expectations on her, she too was placing her expectations on God.
“I am aware of the massive expectations on me, but frankly, my expectations are on God,’’ she said Tuesday at the hoisting of Team Nigeria’s flag at the Olympic village.
Okagbare has been in fantastic form and many are tipping her to win two medals from the 100 m and the jumps.
“She is in good form and she carries herself well. She is humble and focused,” Yusuf Alli volunteered on the athlete.
Meanwhile, Chef De Mission at the London 2012 Olympics, Dr Patrick Ekeji, Tuesday described the country’s chances at the Olympics as very good.
“We look good for the Games. There are pointers to the fact that this Olympics will be good for Nigeria,” Ekeji said shortly after the flag hoisting at the Games Village.
Taking a cursory look at Team Nigeria, Ekeji who is also the director general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), said that Nigeria would excel in boxing especially the only female boxer in the team.
“I monitored all the athletes’ right from their training bases and I feel satisfied with their reports.
“We are set to go and I feel good that something good will come out of this despite the huge challenges we faced running to the Olympics. I think that I have given it my best and wait and hope that the athletes will justify all that we put into it.
“For me, this is going to be my last Olympics. It means a lot to me and I have put in everything to ensure that Nigeria finishes on a higher pedestal. Okagbare is doing absolutely well and we pray that she carries her form to the Olympics. And so, it is with all the athletes that we registered. But we still need support and prayers of Nigerians as we get ready to go,” Ekeji stressed.