Top Ex-athletes Delighted With IOC's Over Award of Sydney Olympic Gold to Nigeria

The award has come 12 years after a member of the U.S. team, Antonio Pettigrew, tested positive to a performance-enhancing substance. The Americans had won the gold, with Nigeria taking the silver and Jamaica, the bronze.
 
However, sequel to Pettigrew’s confession to the use of the performance enhancing substance, the IOC ordered the medal withdrawn in 2008.
 
In spite of the order, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) would not surrender the medal to the IOC, causing the matter to stretch over 12 years.
 
Reacting to news of the award, Yusuf Alli, coach and former captain of Nigeria’s athletic team, told    NANfrom the Olympic Games Village in London that the decision was impressive even though a little bit late.
 
``I am very much delighted at the news; I am impressed by the IOC’s decision. It is not how long the decision was made but that they have been awarded and recognised after these years.
 
``It is just a pity that my good friend, Sunday Bada, one of the four relay quartet to the Sydney Games is no more. But I know his family will also be recognised on his behalf.
 
``I am extremely happy at the decision, I will tell you. Nigerians should also be happy for the medal although it has been 12 years but nevertheless we were recognised,’’ he said.
 
Among Members o f the relay team to the Sydney Olympics were Clement Chukwu, Jude Monye, Enefiok Udo Obong and Sunday Bada.
 
Tina Iheagwam, a former sprinter, said in Lagos that she was happy with the IOC’s decision, saying nothing was hidden and it showed that justice had finally been done.
 
``I am dumbfounded because justice has been delayed for 12 years. We, in the country, had actually forgotten about it but I can tell you that what the IOC had done is a good indication that nothing goes unnoticed,’’ she said.
 
The U.S.-based Nigerian athletics coach, Patience Itanyi, also hailed the award saying: ``It is really something good for the country.
 
``I wish and hope that the athletes will look at it and say with this award, we can go all out to win a gold at the London Games,’’ she said.