Skeleton racer, Simidele Adeagbo, has changed the history of Skeleton racing forever by claiming gold at the Winter Olympics in China.
Freelanews learnt that with this record, Adeagbo has become the first Nigeria and African athlete to step atop the podium.
In a post she made on social media, the athlete revealed that little attention was paid to the sports as even the organisers didn’t expect an African to win as there was no preparation for any Nigerian flag. But thankfully, she brought hers along to fly the country’s colour.
See her full report below.
Few make history.
Fewer change it.Before Friday, January 14th, 2022, no African athlete (male or female) had ever reached the top of the podium of an international bobsled or skeleton race. That all changed when I won the Europe Cup monobob race in Winterberg, Germany and became the FIRST Nigerian and African athlete to take home the gold in an @ibsfsliding race.🥇
With personal best down and push start times, I raced for an unprecedented feat and earned a decisive victory. In a predominantly Eurocentric, male dominated sport, some didn’t expect to see an African woman atop the podium. In fact, there wasn’t even a Nigerian flag and anthem on hand for the awards ceremony (luckily I had my own flag☺️). No matter how unexpected my victory may have been for some, it was a shining moment in which my dream became a reality.
This first is forever recorded in history. Achieved from will and countless sacrifices, I’m paving a pathway to hope. May we continue to leap past the barriers, expect more than others think is possible and dream more than others think is practical.🙏🏿
Special thanks to my coaches @robhinton15 and @ivank53 who always believed this moment was possible🙌🏿
#OPERATIONWINTERSTORM #africarising #blackgirlmagic #RoadtoBeijing2022 #Bobsledder #SkeletonRacer #SleighQueen #SleighSimiSleigh #BSFN 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬@ibsfsliding @bsfnigeria @beijing2022
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