Being at the Olympics has a different meaning for many of the athletes. For some, it’s medals and records. For others, it’s the experience and the memories that will last a lifetime. The one unifying motivation to be at the Olympics is the daringness to dream.
The feel-good factor of the participation of the Nigerian women’s bobsled team at the Pyeongchang Olympics cannot be quantified. This is the first by an African country at the Winter Olympics. Though the trio of Ngozi Onwumere, Akuoma Omeoga and Seun Adigun were all born in the United States, their identification with Nigeria and participation at the Olympics inspired many far beyond the shores of Nigeria. Adigun’s second cousin is the NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
No one is expecting them to get to the podium but there is a greater purpose in their presence in Pyeongchang. It wasn’t a surprise the Nigerians were dead last after the first two heats Tuesday night, and the 3.50-second gap between them and the leaders might as well be a chasm in a sport decided by tenths and hundredths of a second, we are just delighted to see them dorn the colours of Nigeria and compete against the very best in the world.
The Nigerians haven’t raced on the World Cup circuit, securing their spot in Pyeongchang through a lower-tiered circuit, instead. Still, to go from zero to the Olympics in less than 18 months is no small feat.
It is safe to say the Nigerians were inspired by Jamaica’s “Cool Runnings” sled team the shattered myth that you have to have winter to be a Winter Olympian 30 years ago.
“You can do whatever you want,” Omeoga said. “If you see our faces and we inspire you to do something, then that’s absolutely all we ask for.”
“I don’t think it’s hit us how impactful this whole process is actually going to be in the long run,” Adigun said. “We’re so honored and humbled to be in the position that we are, to be able to show people that impossible is nothing. And that you don’t have to quantify things by just a result, a first place, second place or any time.”
Every Olympian is fueled by a dream. The confirmation that it’s achievable is a prize in and of itself.
