All the Heartbreak From Nigeria’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics So Far

• It’s been a poor outing for African Gaint Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics so far

• In athletics, top female sprinter and long jumper Blessing Okagbare was suspended earlier today after failing a doping test

• Also, the Men’s Basketball Team D’Tigers who had a strong showing during exhibition matches, have been knocked out after a defeat to Italy on Saturday morning

Nigeria’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics outing has been filled with anything but bliss.

A mixture of poor performance and lackadaisical attitude to preparation from the Nigeria Sports Federation has caused the number of the nation’s representatives to dwindle drastically.

On Wednesday, Naija FM reported that 10 athletes had been disqualified from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for failing to carry out doping tests.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has been blamed for this mishap after it was reported that no one was sent to test the athletes.

Coach Wes Kitley for track and field athletes had this to say;

“The bottom line is the Nigeria federation just dropped the ball and didn’t test those kids,” he said.

“It’s just a terrible thing if they don’t get to compete because the Nigerian federation never sent anyone to test them. Which will be unfortunate. My goodness.”

Also, Female super athlete Blessing Okagbare was suspended after she failed a doping test.

According to the Athletics Integrity Unit, the Nigerian female sprinter tested positive for the use of growth hormone.

The bad news for Nigeria in athletics didn’t end there as one of the nation’s best prospects Divine Oduduru was disqualified from the 100m event for a false start

Although replays show that American athlete Fred Kerley also made a move before the gun, it was only Oduduru who got burned.

In Basketball, the men’s team D’Tigers suffered a defeat to Italy in the early hours of Saturday, effectively knocking them out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The team threw away a 7-point lead in the final quarter as they lost 80-71.

Hope however remains for the women’s team, D’Tigress who face Japan on Monday.

Despite losses to the USA and Germany in their opening two games, hopes for qualification remain if they can secure a win in their final group game.

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