In 1996, Chioma Ajunwa surprised the world when she made a record 7.12 meter leap to win gold in the women's long jump event of the Atlanta Olympics. The Police woman did not only create history for winning the Nigeria her first individual Olympic gold medal, it was also the country's first Olympic gold medal.
The man who stood by her, groomed and managed her progress to that historic feat, Chief Segun Odegbami has declared that Nigeria's latest track and field sensation, Blessing Okagbare appears to be Nigeria's brightest medal prospect in the forthcoming London Olympic Games.
Okagbare, he said, was going the way of Chioma who was not even as popular as Okagbare is now, before the Olympics, but went there to stun the athletics world with her feat. He said he would personally be in London to support the Delta State-born athlete.
"Yes, I will be there to support Blessing. She is following the path of Chioma and I see her doing well at the Games," Odegbami said. He recalled, "when Chioma left for the Atlanta Games, not many gave her a chance in the long jump event as the main target was for her to run the 100 meters race. She surprised all by winning gold," adding succinctly, "Blessing can repeat Chioma's feat."
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