Enoch Adegoke’s dream of becoming the first Nigerian man to win a 100 metres Olympic medal came to an end on Sunday after he picked up an injury midway into the final of the event that was won by Italian sprinter Lamont Marcell Jacobs.
Jacobs become the first Italian to take the most coveted title in athletics and doing it in a European record time of 9.80 seconds. American Fred Kerley came up just short in his bid to become the first American winner since Justin Gatlin in 2004, taking silver in a personal best 9.84.
Canada’s Andre de Grasse also ran a personal best of 9.89 to repeat his bronze of 2016. South African Akani Simbine clocked 9.93 to finish fourth — one better than his Rio 2016 position. Britain’s Zharnel Hughes was disqualified for a false start.
“It’s been my dream since I was a child,” said Jacobs.“I need a week or so to understand what has happened. Seeing (compatriot) Gimbo (Tamberi) win the high jump gold (10 minutes earlier) fired me up a lot.”
“I’ve won an Olympic gold after Bolt, it’s unbelievable. Tonight, staring at the ceiling, perhaps I will realise.”
It was a sad end to a glorious campaign for the Nigerian sprint champion Adegoke,who ran a lifetime best of 9.98s in the heats. He also equalled his former previous personal best of 10.00s during Tokyo 2020.
He might not have won a medal, but he is making Nigerians gradually fall in love with the sport again. Adegoke’s outing won the hearts of people and the sprinter will even win more over next season when he starts competing regularly across Diamond League circuits.
Hopefully this injury won’t keep him out for too long.
