Former Nigerian sprinter, Beatrice Utondu, has expressed displeasure with the standard of the Nigerian athletics, saying she was disappointed at the performances of the athletes, particularly the sprint.
Utondu expressed her disappointment in interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at the Warri Relays and 2016 All Nigeria Championships, a Rio Olympic Trials on Saturday in Sapele, Delta State.
The 1992 Barcelona 4×100m Relay bronze medalist told NAN: “I am highly disappointed; this is not what I expected to see.
“During my time, Mary Onyali and others, 100m used to be 11:00s but what I saw at this event are 11:02, 11:39 is not encouraging.
“We could not get what we are supposed to get when we were running, so we expected the young generation to do better.
“But it is getting worse.
“It is not all about money.
“During our days, we had challenges with fund, but we were happy to represent Nigeria.”
Utondu, who set a personal best of 11:40s during the 1991 World Championship, said there was still hope that Nigeria would do well in the summer Rio Olympics in Brazil in August.
The 1987 long jump winner at the All African Games urged the government to do the needful by providing money and facilities for the athletes.
She said: “Five weeks is enough to prepare for Olympics if funds are available.
“If the athletes see money and facilities, that will motivate them to push harder and fight for medals at the Olympics.”
NAN.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
