Sports
Bolt Labours To Victory At Golden Spike Meet
Usain Bolt was sluggish in
winning the 100m in 10.04 seconds as Dwain Chambers finished fifth in the Golden Spike meeting in the Czech Republic.
Just two months before the Olympics, the Jamaican world record holder looked far from his best in Ostrava.
Britain’s Chambers clocked a season’s best time of 10.28 but remains short of the London 2012 qualifying time.
Kim Collins of St Kitts and St Nevis came second in 10.19, with American Darvis Patton third in 10.22.
Chambers was given the right to compete at the Games when a British Olympic Association by-law that banned drug cheats from competing at Olympics was overturned.
Like him, Mark Lewis-Francis missed out on the Olympic qualification time of 10.18 despite winning the ‘B’ race.
However, Chambers, who was competing in his first major meeting in six years, could at least reflect on a significant improvement from the 10.52 recently recorded in Puerto Rico – his second slowest time in 15 years.
He said: “More than anything I’m pleased with the way I felt during the run. I felt really good to 80 metres and just need to work on that part now, the last 20 metres of the race. The only way that happens is with more competition at this level.
Meanwhile, Christine Ohuruogu met the A standard in the women’s 400m as she finished second behind the United States’ Sanya Richards-Ross.
Tiffany Porter, recently GB’s captain at the World Indoors in Turkey, won the 100m hurdles in 12.65, while fellow Brit Perri-Shakes Drayton met the B standard in finishing third in the 400m hurdles.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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