The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has adopted new measures that will spur the country’s athlete to perform better at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio dejenario, Brazil.
Following #Team Nigeria’s inability to win medal at the Olympics held in London, the AFN on Tuesday released a new entry standards for athletes intending to represent the country at the Olympics and also monetary incentives for athletes that meet the entry standard.
Aside being rewarded for meeting the entry standards, the athletics body has promised a reward of $50,000 for any Nigerian athlete who wins gold medal in Rio Games.
AFN, in a statement signed by its Head of Communication and Media, Olukayode Thomas, stipulates that athletes who intend to compete in the men and women 100m must meet the time of 10.09 seconds and 11.10 seconds respectively.
The statements reeled out further entry time standard that athletes must meet to qualify to represent Nigeria: “For the 200m, the men must run 20.20secs and the women 22.50secs. In the 400m, the entry standard is 45.20secs for men and 50.90secs for women. For athletes intending to compete in the men 800m, the standard is 1.45.30secs and 2.00.00secs for women.
“The men 110 hurdles standard is 13.35secs and women 100m hurdles is 12.85secs. Intending athletes in the men and women 400m hurdles must run 48.95secs and 54.93secs respectively, while the men’s high jump standard is 2.31 meters and women 1.98meters.
“Men long jumpers must jump 8.20meters and women 6.90meters. Triple jumpers dreaming of going to Rio must achieve 17.25meters for the men and 14.60meters for the women.
“For pole vault, the standard is 5.70meters for men and 4.60meters for women. Men and women shot-put throwers must achieve 20.60meters and 18.50meters, while the standard for discuss throw is 66.00meters and 65.15meters for women. The standard for men hammer is 79.00meters and 72.20meters for women.
Male javelin throwers must achieve 83.00meters and women 65.10meters. The qualification standard for decathlon is 8,200points, while hepthalon is 6,300points.
For the relays, 38.50secs is for men 4x100m and 42.00secs for women. The 4x400m men must run 3.00.00secs to qualify and the women 3.28.00secs.
According to Mr. Thomas athletes must achieve the standard between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016 to be able to make the Team Nigeria squad. He further disclosed that the AFN will pay $2000 to athletes that meet this standard.
“Athletes who make the finals in Rio will get $2500, bronze medalist $10,000, silver medalist $30,000 and gold medalist $50,000,” he added.
By Olisemeka Obeche