Nigeria Will Not Accept Tainted Medals – FG

The Federal Government yesterday warned athletes to the London 2012 Olympics that it would not accept any medals won that are tainted by drugs.

President Goodluck Jonathan gave the warning in Lagos at the hand-over of “Team Nigeria’’ to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Jonathan, who was represented by Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, the Sports Minister, said though Nigerians expected the athletes to do the country proud, the government would not accept any medal won dubiously.

“I expect you to do us proud but we do not want any medal tainted by drugs,” he said.

The president added that the games were a great opportunity for the athletes to raise the profile of their sports to be better considered for subsequent championships.

“It is a great opportunity for you (athletes) to raise the profile of your sport so that it would no longer be treated as second fiddle,” he said.

Jonathan advised Nigerians to stop being concerned about not featuring in football at the Olympics and concentrate on how the other sports can succeed at the Games.

“We should stop being concerned about missing out in football because the sport cannot give the country more than one medal,” he said.

Also speaking on the occasion, NOC President Sani Ndanusa warned the athletes to shun acts capable of tarnishing the country’s image at the Games.

He particularly cautioned the athletes against taking performance enhancing drugs, noting that the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) were very strict about doping.

“The position of the IOC and WADA on the use of banned substances has become more stringent and pronounced through the deployment of high-tech scientific detectors.

“This has further narrowed the chances of escape for drug cheats. I will therefore enjoin all athletes to be wary of any medication that could endanger their chances at the games,” he said.

Ndanusa also appealed to the medical team to take proactive steps in monitoring the athletes’ nutrition and medication.

According to him, 30 athletes had qualified in Track and Field, three in boxing, one in Canoe Kayak, four table tennis players, two in Taekwondo, four wrestlers and two weightlifters.

The president also expressed optimism that the country’s Men Basketball team will qualify for the Games in their final qualification encounter in Venezuela.

He noted that seven Nigerian athletes were currently on IOC Olympics Scholarships and would participate in the Games.

“I am happy that some of our athletes are currently on IOC Olympics scholarships,” he said.

They are Blessing Okagbare, Ajoke Odumosu, Oluwatosin Oke, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Jonathan Akinyemi, Chika Chukwumerije and Maryam Usman.

He wished Team Nigeria well and urged them to go for Gold, saying they can make it.

Team Nigeria departed Nigeria for London last night.