Injured Ogunkoya
confident of Syndey recovery
Reuters
23 July 2000 – Lagos, Nigeria - Falilat Ogunkoya, the 1996 Olympics 400 metres bronze
medalist, says she expects to be fit for Sydney despite pulling a hamstring in the
Nigerian trials over the weekend.
Ogunkoya, who booked her squad place on Saturday after finishing second to Christy Opara, said: "I hope to be fully fit before the Sydney Olympics."
Mary Onyali, the 200 metres bronze winner four years ago but who then quit the sport for three years after having a baby, confirmed her comeback by winning both sprints at the three-day trials in Lagos.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) said it would pick a 32-strong squad for the Olympics.
"We are only competing in events we're strong in, picking athletes that have met the Olympic qualifying standards," AFN technical committee head Moses Ogun said, adding that the full squad would be named this week.
Francis Obikwelu, 1999 world championships bronze medalist in the men's 200 metres, and Glory Alozie, the 100 metres hurdles silver winner in Seville, are also expected to be listed. Both won at the trials, Obikwelu in the 100 metres.
Sunday Bada, the 1997 men's 400 metres world indoor champion, is also hopeful of a berth after coming second in his event.
Some athletes will embark on a European training tour next month before the full squad meets up on September 2 for a final training camp in Adelaide.
Selected results from the Nigerian Trials
Men
100m
1. Francis Obikwelu 10.14, 2. Sunday Emmanuel 10.22, 3. Deji Aliu 10.23
400m
1. Jude Monye 45.41, 2. Nduka Awazie 45.69, 3. Sunday Bada 45.74
Long jump
1. Uduma 7.87m, 2. Edore Egweh 7.50m, 3. Okeke Dum Noel 7.46m
Women
100m
1. Mary Onyali 11.23, 2. Uduak Eka 11.58, 3. Mercy Nku 11.61
200m
1. Mary Onyali 22.77, 2. Mercy Nku 23.35, 3. Onyeijiako Calista 23.35
100m hurdles
1. Glory Alozie 12.85, 2. Imeh Akpan 13.32, 3.Damaris Agbugba 13.49
400m
1. Charity Opara 50.28, 2.Falilat Ogunkoya 50.24, 3.Bisi Afolabi 50.30
