Sports
Give Us Our Olympics Silver Medal, Idoko Begs
Silver medalist in the women’s 4x100m at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Franca Idoko, has begged the Nigeria Olympic Committee to give her and her teammates the silver medal they won at the Games.
The women’s 4x100m relay team, who initially won bronze at the Beijing Olympics, had their medal upgraded to silver in 2016 after Russia, who placed second were stripped of the silver.
According to Yulia Chermoshanskaya, who was part of Russia’s women’s 4x100m team failed tests for steroids stanozolol and turinabol after new technology was applied.
Aside Idoko, the other members of the relay team are Gloria Kemasuode, Halimat Ismaila, Oludamola Osayomi and Agnes Osazuwa.
In a video she posted on Facebook, Idoko said five years after their bronze medal was upgraded to silver medal, they were yet to receive it.
“As you can see, I still have my bronze medal, which now belongs to Team Brazil because they automatically became third. But I still have it because the Nigeria Olympic Committee has refused to give us our silver medal and I don’t know why,” Idoko said in the video.
“I am doing this video not because I want anything from them but my silver medal. I want them to please send it to me anyhow they want to send it because it’s been since 2016 and it’s a long time. Other countries have received their own, I don’t know why we are yet to receive our silver medal.”
She said she hoped with the Olympics taking place, the NOC would be able to collect their medals and send to them.
“I am making this video now because I know that the NOC (members) are all in Tokyo for the Olympics and it’s the best time for them to meet with the appropriate authorities, may be the International Olympic Committee, so they can collect our medals and bring them for us.
“We are begging them, please give us our silver medal, we worked for it. I worked in the snow, in the rain, in the sun for that medal, I deserve to have a hold of it, please Nigeria, we are begging please give us our silver medal,” she added.
Efforts to speak with Public Relations Officer of the NOC, Femi Adetula proved abortive as his number was switched off as at press time. Also, a text message sent to his line did not deliver.
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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