31 athletes have been chosen by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)
to camp in Surrey ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.
The names of the athletes were released on Monday, by the AFN at a press conference in Lagos.
Blessing Okagbare who lost her 100m African to title to Gabonese star, Ruddy Milla at the African Athletics Championships in Benin Republic on Sunday, topped the list of the athletes.
She will compete in three events during the games in London i.e. 100m, long jump and the 4x100m relay
Other women on the list include Gloria Asumnu, Loretta Ozoh, Christy Udoh, Regina George Omolara Omotosho, Doreen Amata, Vivian Chukwuemeka and Wisdom Isoken.
Professional banker and international marathoner, Esther Obiekwe was also included in the list.
In the men’s category, Nigeria’s fastest man, Obinna Metu led the pack which includes Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Peter Emelieze, Selim Nurudeen, Amaechi Morton, Stanley Gbagbeke and Tosin Oke.
Three other athletes have been put on probation according to the president of the AFN, Solomon Ogba, who made this disclosure while presenting the list of the athletes to journalists in Lagos.
He said the athletes on probation will have to improve their timing to ‘A’ standard if they must make the final list for the games.
“I don’t expect our athletes to beat Usain Bolt and Yohan Blakes, but I’ll consider our performance as impressive if the athletes qualify for the semi-finals of their respective events” he said.
