By Ben Efe
Veteran 400m runner, Patience Okon-George is hopeful of Nigeria 4x400m team improving on their timing and hold on to their 16th position in the Olympics qualification chase.
The Nigerian quartet occupies the last 16 spot with 3.27. 29 secs achieved at the African Games in March. With the June qualification deadline in sight, Okon-George reckons that the team can maintain its position, but they need to improve on the performance within the qualification window to cement their place.
“We are in the top 16 and the nations behind us may not be able to summonth our position,” said Okon-George ahead of the CAA region two Championships Starting Tuesday in Accra, Ghana.
“But to cast our qualification in stone we need to run a better time to ensure we are totally safe.
“So we are going to keep doing our best to have a good performance that will keep us not just qualify for the Olympics, but to encourage us to be on the podium.”
Due to an incomplete team the women 4x400m couldn’t have the chance to perform at the last World relays, where all other Nigerian teams confirmed their ticket.
The nations hot on the heels of Nigeria in qualification contest include Bahrain 3.27.66, Germany 3.27.74 and Czechia 3.27.76.
To improve on their time, the Nigerian team need to shed off at least fractions of a few seconds from their performance, and with two 51 secs split runs that’s almost a guarantee.
