Nigerian 100m hurdler Tobi Amusan’s prospect of winning medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics got a boost on Sunday following her adoption by the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Amusan’s adoption followed a visit to the governor by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, whose ‘adopt a talent’ initiative has seen state governors, individuals and corporate organisations adopt some Olympics- bound athletes by paying money directly to the athletes account to support their early preparations for the Olympics. The initiative was stalled by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the minister, Governor Abiodun said he found it expedient to adopt Amusan not just because she is an indigene of Ogun State, but because she symbolises the Nigerian spirit of talent and hard work.
Amusan announced her arrival to the big stage after winning silver in the African Youth Championships in 2013, capping it with a Gold medal at the 2015 African Junior Athletics Championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; emerged Commonwealth champion in 2018 African Champion in 2019.
She is a two-time African Champion.
She was ranked 4th in the World following her feat at the World championships in Doha, in 2019.
The money would be paid directly into the athlete’s account to fund her preparations for the Olympic Games.
