Nigeria’s women bobsled and skeleton athletes on Tuesday, February 27 arrived in Lagos from Pyeongchang where they competed in the
The quartet of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, Akuoma Omeoga and Simidele Adeagbo made history in Pyeongchang as the first Nigerians to compete at the Winter Olympics.
Rousing welcome
After their campaign, the women returned to Lagos, Nigeria and were given a rousing welcome.
They arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by 8:30 pm on Tuesday via a KLM Airlines flight.
Speaking to immediately after their arrival, Seun who is the driver for the Nigerian bobsled team is pleased with the support they received from Nigerians and everyone before and during the Olympics.
“It’s a pleasure knowing that you have inspired people all over the world,” Seun said.
“The support from everyone was also amazing, we are proud of what they have achieved for ourselves and Nigeria.”
Management speaks
Temple Management Company (TMC) who are managers of the Nigeria's bobsled women team were also there to ensure the women got the rousing welcome they deserve.
Koye Sowemimo, Head of Sports for TMC on how they worked with the athletes to get sponsorship and funding which made the Winter Olympics possible.
"It takes a good team, an experience one to actually deliver this and this is something that we have done," Sowemimo said.
"The rest of the world saw it first because cooperate Nigeria as usual is always slow to react, but they came in last minute and we are very grateful for the fact they came in.
"There us no way the girls would have been able to get where they want to, which is the ultimate goal, the Olympics, without funding."
Although the Nigerian women finished the Olympics without a medal, they won accolades for their historic outings for Nigeria.
Simidele was the first to get on the ice in Pyeongchang but could not finish in any medals’ place after four Heat races.
Nigeria’s women bobsled athletes also raced in four Heats but failed to finish in medals’ places.
They also all achieved personal bests at the Olympics; the bobsled team reached a personal best of 52.21s while Simidele raced a personal best of 52.21 seconds in Skeleton.