Nigeria has managed to qualify two female athletes in the canoe sprint. Before taking part in the 200 meters individually on Thursday, they will try to shine this Tuesday, August 6, 2024 in the canoe double (C2) over 500 meters (2nd elimination series). Both from the south of the country, they intend to compensate for their lack of means with their mentality, and have no doubts about their ability to put in a good performance.
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With our special correspondent for the 2024 Olympic Games, Francois Mazet
It is far from the nautical centers and carbon hulls that Nigerian canoeists work on their paddle stroke. Ayomide Bello, 22, is a water girl from a fishing village on the Lagos lagoon.
“ When I was young and my sister introduced me to canoeing, I said “wow”. That day I told myself that I would go to the top level, to the Olympic Games. In fact, I was almost born in a boat, I love the water. My mother fishes, my father too, so I always followed them on the river, even when I was in my mother’s womb. So since I think I was born in a boat, I think I can go to the top of Olympus. »
The first Nigerian woman to qualify for the Olympic canoeing in 2021, the woman who won three titles at the 2023 African championships will be at the front of the Nigerian two-seater.
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” I come to win my medal »
Beauty Otuedo, 26, from Ondo State, is more discreet but no less ambitious. I will give everything to try to reach the podium. These are my first games, it’s fantastic to be here, but I come to win my medal. »
An opinion shared by their coach: Ebenezer Ukwunna is certain that their mental strength will allow them to fight with the favourites. We have trained, we are here like the others, and you could hear the optimism in their voices. We are ready. All those who come here are champions in their respective countries, so I am sure that with their mental strength, they will manage to rise to the level of nations that train more than us.. »
Ayomide Bello and Beauty Otuedo regularly attend training camps, but canoeing remains a passion, and certainly not a job. The former is a hairdresser and the latter a nurse.
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