Buhari gave them the Presidential Handshake and commended them for their selfless quest to make history for Nigeria.
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, March 7 received the country’s bobsled and skeleton athletes who competed at the just concluded 2018 Winter Olympics.
Bobsled and skeleton athletes Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, Akuoma Omeoga and Simidele Adeagbo made history as the first Nigerian representatives at the Winter Olympics.
Suen-led bobsled Nigeria’s women’s team started the winter sports themselves from scratch without the help of government before Simidele joined in as a skeleton athlete.
After their historic participation at the Winter Olympics, Suen and Simidele were received on behalf of their teammates by Buhari at the State House on Wednesday.
Buhari gave them the Presidential Handshake and commended them for their selfless quest to make history for Nigeria.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also present to meet the women.
“Words cannot express the joy and honour I feel after being received by the Honorable President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria,” Seun said after the ceremony.
The women had been hosted earlier by Sports Minister Solomon Dalung.
“Thank you Honorable Sports Minister Solomon Dalung for additionally having a personal reception for our BSFN athlete representatives. Abuja, you have been wonderful. Nigeria, greatness and positivity shall continue to lift you higher. Amen,” Suen added.
Nigeria at 2018 Winter Olympics
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.