Fasuba at sea that Nigerian athletes are going to Olympics with participating in National Championship
By
Olukayode Thomas
Though the son of a Naval Officer, born in the seaside city of Sapele and now a Naval Officer Nigerian sprint icon Olusoji Fasuba naturally should be conformable in the sea and riverine areas.
But today, Fasuba is at sea, and the reason is that many Nigerian athletes are going to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games without participating in the ongoing All Nigeria Athletics Championships in Benin City, Edo State.
Globally, participation in national athletics championships is a prerequisite for participation in major games and championships irrespective of the athlete's pedigree or whether they have met the entry standard for the event set by the governing body of the sports, World Athletics.
Five-times Olympic gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah will not defend her 200m title at next month's Paris Games after opting not to compete in the event at the upcoming Jamaican trials.
The sprinter is only registered to compete in the 100m at the June 27-30 Jamaican Athletics Championships.
Fasuba cannot understand why officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) find it difficult to follow the global standard.
Wrote Fasuba on Facebook, “Achieving the standard dose does not automatically qualify an athlete for the Olympics.
“A well-organized nation should recognize the importance of trials in selecting athletes who are in optimal form at the time of the competition. The statement "they hit the standard dose does not count" is inaccurate and misleading.
“As a professional athlete or collegiate, it is essential to prioritize and understand one's responsibilities. Relying solely on having met the standard without participating in trials can lead to detrimental consequences.
“Numerous athletes who have achieved significant success in major competitions have demonstrated their commitment by participating in competitions, even if it involves traveling long distances and competing on short notice. This dedication and resilience are crucial for athletes aiming to excel at the highest level.”
Fasuba posits an athlete cannot be bigger than the national championships,
“In a nutshell, no one is bigger than their national trials. You dear not even suggest things like this in a serious country.’’
