Thirteen years after they were awarded silver medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, members of Nigeria’s 4x400m men’s relay team had their medals upgraded to Gold on Wednesday at a ceremony inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The upgrade followed the disqualification of the United States’ team that initially won the gold based on drug-related issues.
Shortly after their decoration with the new medals, President Goodluck Jonathan announced a cash reward of N5m each for the six athletes and N7m each for their two coaches. They will also be conferred with national honours at a later date.
The lucky athletes include Sunday Bada, Nduka Awazie, Fidelis Gadzama, Clement Chukwu, Jude Monye and Effiong Ubong. Bada’s decoration was however done post-humously as he was represented by his wife, Adesumbo.
The two team coaches are Innocent Egbunike and Solomon Abari.
Jonathan, in his remarks, said the lesson in the fact that the medals were upgraded after 13 years was an indication that truth would always prevail over falsehood no matter how long it takes. The President said his administration would continue to condemn cheating in all ramifications including sports, politics and others.
He said, “What has been proven by the gold medal that you have just received is that if we do things the right and honest way, truth will always prevail, no matter how long it takes. This is part of the transformation of values that we seek to bring about and inculcate in your people today.
“What your experience has shown is that sports men and women must endeavour to operate and compete within the rules of the game. They must resist any temptation to take a short cut to fame, adulation and wealth.
“Let me use this unique opportunity to condemn cheating in all its ramifications, whether in sports, or in academics, in business or in politics. Be informed that malpractice in any form is evil to society. We must build a society that puts premium on integrity and transparency and hard work.”
While describing sports as a unifying tool in the country, Jonathan said his government would continue to do everything possible to nurture it and encourage its development.
Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said although the victory came 13 years after the games, the nation was happy with this result because Nigeria was unethically defeated during the games.
He said, “With this award, Nigeria has therefore moved up from position 55 to 41 on the medal table in the 2000 Olympic games with one gold and two silver medals.
“Nigeria’s overall performance at the Olympic Games therefore now stands at three gold medals, eight silver and 12 bronze medals to place 68 on the overall medal table.
“Even though this is not a true reflection of Nigeria’s huge potentials in sport, we are optimistic that with the unprecedented commitment that Your Excellency has demonstrated and the various initiatives that we are currently undertaking with Mr. President’s guidance, Nigeria will soon be ranked amongst the very best in the world.”
culled from punchng
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