Okagbare-Ighoteguonor Makes U-turn, To Run In Congo

Africa’s fastest woman, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, has made a u-turn and is now expected to take part in the track and field events at the ongoing All Africa Games in Congo.
The 27-year-old will only be limited to taking part in the relay at the games, owing to the hamstring injury she is still nursing.
She revealed that her doctor has given her the greenlight to take part in “just the relay” at the games in order not to aggravate the injury.
Okagbare-Ighoteguonor explained at lenght to sports radio Brila FM why she took part at the Diamond League in Zurich despite her injury issues.
“Unfortunately, I will be doing just the relay. It (hamstring injury) is not that great but it is rather safe than sorry. Right now the only thing the hamstring can handle right now is just one or two races; just the semis and final in the relays. I am pretty sure I can take a risk and handle that. If I have to do an individual event, I wouldn’t want to put anybody in a tight corner and, if, at the end, something happens, they say ‘oh she was not supposed to be there, this and that, and now she’s hurt.’ So, I would rather want to be safe than sorry; that’s why I am doing just the relay.
“I was able to race in Zurich; not like I was capable, because it was one race and I was able to surprise myself. But, after the race, I knew what I felt trying to sit down through the pain. I have rested for a few days, so I have been told to just take off and see what will happen and if it’s not healing properly we will have to send you out to Germany for treatment so that the leg will be properly taken care of. But for now like I said, since I have to be in Congo and I have spoken to them and they say it’s not so good so I have been told to give the relay a shot,” she told Brila FM.
However, the sprinter and long-jumper said she is delighted to represent her country always but feels pained that her appearance will be limited to just the relay this year.
“The African Games is not what happens every month or year, it’s just like the Olympics. That’s when you get to see every African contingent together. It’s fun, because you get the opportunity to see and chat with people you’ve heard about but haven’t seen you. But this year has been really different for me, because I don’t really like going to a competition and just do one event. I really want to compete for everything. Unfortunately, it is just the relay I would have done more if I was healthy enough but I will just have to accept my fate for now,” said the Olympic bronze medallist.
Inspite of the fact that she will be involved in the relay of the games, Okagbare-Ighoteguonor promised gold.
“As much as I can, I will do my best to get a gold medal in the relay for Nigeria,” she assured.
The Nigerian athlete will not be defending her long jump gold medal at the games she won four years ago in Mozambique where she also won silver in the women’s 100 metres and gold in the women’s 4×100 metres.
This development has now put to rest recent reports of a ban on the athlete from the 2016 Olympics.