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Nigerian athletes Kanyinsola Ajayi and Favour Ashe have secured their spots in the men’s 100m event at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has praised their outstanding performances, which have ensured Nigeria’s continued representation in this prestigious event.
On Saturday morning, national champion Kanyinsola Ajayi stunned the athletics world with a remarkable victory in heat 5. Ajayi clocked a winning time of 10.02 seconds, narrowly edging out reigning Olympic Champion Marcell Jacobs, who finished at 10.05 seconds. Abdul Rasheed Saminu took third place with a time of 10.06 seconds.
Favour Ashe also advanced to the semifinals, earning one of the fastest non-automatic qualifying spots. Ashe placed fourth in heat 4, recording a time of 10.16 seconds, following Oblique Seville (9.99s), Hakim Sani Brown (10.02s), and Puripol Boonson (10.13s).
Senator Enoh commended both athletes for their impressive performances and urged them to aim for further success as they compete in the semifinals and final tomorrow evening. He highlighted the importance of maintaining resilience and focus on the global stage.
In other Olympic news, Team Nigeria’s 16-year-old swimmer Adaku Nwandu narrowly missed qualifying for the Women’s 50m Freestyle final. Nwandu finished second in her heat with a time of 26.62 seconds but did not rank among the 16 fastest times required to advance. Senator Enoh congratulated Nwandu on her commendable performance and expressed confidence in her future potential.
The minister also encouraged other Nigerian athletes awaiting their events to strive for qualification and aim for podium finishes. He emphasized the need for resilience and determination, urging all participants to represent Nigeria with pride and excellence. Senator Enoh called for nationwide support for the athletes during this critical time.
