By Douglas Baye-Osagie Athletics historians can’t wait for a better opportunity than now to believe Nigeria is on the verge of winning one of the most elusive gold medals in our sports history. Despite a rich avalanche of great sprinters, a men’s 100m gold medal at the Commonwealth Games has been embarrassingly elusive. For 96 years, the Commonwealth Games have rolled around like clockwork.
The gun first cracked in Hamilton 1930, the steel city of Canada. Then it echoed in London 1934, and through the Commonwealth in cities like Sydney, Auckland, Cardiff, Kingston, Edinburgh, Kuala Lumpur, Manchester, Brisbane, Victoria, Delhi, and Birmingham 2022. Now, the circuit returns once again to Glasgow 2026, and with it, Nigeria’s 96-year wait for a men’s 100m crown.
Our women have already left their mark with pride. Mary Onyali gave us fire and fight, winning 100m gold in Victoria 1994. Blessing Okagbare gave us grace and dominance, winning 100m gold in Glasgow 2014 and setting the Commonwealth Games record at 10.85s on that same track.
Tobi Amusan continued the tradition in the last edition, taking 100m hurdles gold in Birmingham 2022 and setting a Games record of 12.30s. The green and white has danced on the podium in the sprints before. The Nigerian women have answered the call.
And we’ve proven it can be done in para sports too. Nigeria already holds a Commonwealth 100m mark, just not in the able-bodied category. Adekunle Adesoji stormed to gold and set the para sports 100m record of 10.76s in Manchester 2002.
It was a reminder that speed runs in our DNA. That a Nigerian can go to the Commonwealth Games, face the world, and leave with the fastest time. If we could do it in para athletics, why not in the marquee men’s 100m?
Summary from source