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2008 Olympics in Beijing

The 2008 Olympics opening ceremony was a sight to behold and can't be matched in the immediate future. I was forunate to attend the opening ceremony of 1984 Olmpics and it definitely pales in comparison. This Olympics' competitions were interesting, graced by many new athletes some of who produced new world records in their distinguished events. One of the most inspiring stories though was that of a Somalian athlete who would have gone unnoticed had she not come last in an event that wasn't even what she had trained for. Read http://naijapositive.myfastforum.org/about2743.html for the full story.

As usual those of us residing in the U.S. only got to watch what I would call the Amerimpics, predominantly events that only the U.S. was participating or excelling in. As such we are thankful that in the last days of the Olympics we finally got to watch events like Rythmic Gymnastics where Americans did not participate or excel, thereby giving us the chance to listen to unbiased comments, while simultaneously enjoying the events themselves.

Kudos to Nigeria for earning 4 medals, 1 Silver and 3 bronzes, while we are still waiting for IOC to update our medal list to reflect the Gold Medal we won in the 4X400 Relay in 2000 when the U.S. deprived us of the glory by doping on performance enhancing drugs and illegally collecting our medal and basking in a glory that was rightfully ours http://naijapositive.myfastforum.org/about990.html .

Thanks to all our athletes who represented us in their various events, regardless of their medal standing. Our hope is that the Nigerian government and especially our Sports commission will do more to encourage and support Nigerian athletes worldwide, so we don't lose our talents to Europe where we have Nigerian athletes competing for Britain, Portugal, etc. against Nigerians representing Nigeria.

Our pride continues in our Super Eagles team who earned us a silver medal, despite one of the European teams' refusal to release one of our best players , and despite our next best player's having to seat out the final game due to his shin injury. Our team played in a sweltering 107 degrees that necessitated 2 water breaks http://naijapositive.myfastforum.org/about2723.html, but still did us proud.

Kudos to the other African teams, including Kenya, Ethopia, Zimbabwe, Estonia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, South Africa, Egypt, Mauritius, Togo and Morocco who also won medals, and to the other African countries who participated regardless of their medal stand. It was definitely a defining moment that 3 African countries got to grace the Medal podium at the closing ceremony for the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals they won in the Marathon http://naijapositive.myfastforum.org/about2748.html Another historical moment was that Nigeria's Soccer was one of the only 2 teams who had the privilege of playing their final match in Olympic Bird's Nest witnessed by over 85,000 spectators from all over the world. Kudos also to all athletes of African descent: Jamaicans, Americans, Trinidadians, etc. who participated and excelled in their various sporting events. Usain Bolt served as an example like our Nigerian Relay team did 8 years ago, that it is indeed possible to not just win, but excel in a sporting event without the use of performance enhancing drugs.

I hope everyone enjoyed the Olympics and savoured the uniting event wherein conflicts are set aside to enjoy sportsmanship, and I hope some countries like the U.S., Ukraine and those who have been found guilty at one time or the other for using drugs to excel in sports http://naijapositive.myfastforum.org/about2499.html , will realize that Olympics is about sportsmanship, and not a 'do or die task', wherein athetes feel they have to win at all costs. Olympics is not just about collecting or winning the most medals, especially for countries whose sizes slant the potential to favour them to begin with. Countries that are war torn, lack resources, funds or proper training who still come to the Olympics to perform are those who are truly respected for their Olympic Spirit.

To view photographs, read about and see medals won by Nigerian, African and other notable athletes from the Beijing 2008 Olympics visit http://naijapositive.myfastforum.org/forum140.php We equally enjoyed the closing ceremony and look forward to the 2012 Olympics in London, and may God grant each and everyone of us the grace to live long to witness the event in person or on television. May Nigeria also have produced more athletes who will equally do our nation proud. Long live Nigeria and each of us!

Cxsm
25th Aug. '08

© Cxsm 2008 All Rights Reserved

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm