Earn medals honourably, says the President, NOA

Henry Amike, the President, Nigerian Olympians Association (NOA), on Wednesday advised Nigerians participants at the forthcoming Access Bank Lagos City Marathon to train well to earn medals at the race without cutting corners.

Amike, a former 400m hurdler, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the athletes should earn medals honourably.

He added that there would be monitoring devices like the transponders and spy cameras to detect cheats.

“It may be a little bit difficult for Nigerian athletes to win the overall prize money but at the same time, nothing is impossible.

“The local athletes may spring surprises because there is money involved. I want to, however, warn the athletes not to cut corners.

“There are devices that will detect who cheated. It is better to lose gallantly than to be caught cheating.

“They should train well and win laurels without cheating,’’ he said.

He commended the Lagos State Government for hosting the event, adding that it had been long a marathon of such magnitude occurred.

“It is a welcome development. We have not had a marathon like this in 23 years, it is good.

“It will showcase the edifice in Lagos, the culture and tourist aspect, the idea is good,’’ he said.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon holds on Feb. 6 and no fewer than 120 elite Nigerian athletes will participate in the event.