Idris Adesina
One of Nigeria’s representatives at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Simidele Adeagbo on Saturday finished 20th in the women’s individual skeleton runs after finishing with a total of 3:36.78 – +9.50secs behind gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold of Great Britain.
Simidele, who is Nigeria and Africa’s first female skeleton athlete, finished in 53.73secs and 54.28secs in her third and last runs on Saturday. She had earlier finished in 54.19secs and 54.58secs in her first and second runs on Friday.
The South Africa-based former triple jumper, who is a part of the record-making Nigerian bobsleigh and skeleton team, is making her Olympic debut.
The 36-year-old said her experience was about more than the medals as she hoped to inspire another generation of girls to take up sports they may not ordinarily have considered.
“Ultimately, my journey is about breaking down barriers for future generations of athletes – especially young women everywhere – who are watching athletes like me push the limits through sport during the Games,” she said.
Yarnold defended her title after finishing in 3:27.28 while Germany’s Jacqueline Lolling won silver in 3:27.73 and another Brit Laura Deas won bronze in 3:27.90.
The country’s other athletes at the event – Akuoma Omeoga, Seun Adigun and Ngozi Onwumere – will compete in the bobsleigh on February 20.
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