Former Nigerian sprint star, Uchenna Emedolu says poor preparation was the bane of Nigerian athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games just as he urged Nigerians not to crucify Blessing Okagbare following her inability to win the London 2012 Olympic 100m women race gold medal at the weekend.

Blessing Okagbare following her inability to win the London 2012 Olympic 100m women race gold medal at the weekend.

Emedolu who represented the country in several Olympic, Commonwealth and All Africa Games told Complete Sports that Okagbare did her best but was defeated to more experienced runners.

“The athletes representing the country at the Olympics are doing their best given what they have”, starts Emedolu who was until recently an athletics coach with Abia State Sports council.

“If I may ask, were the athletes well prepared before the games or was it not the usual crash programme arrangement?

“I heard they had two months training overseas but is that enough to guarantee medals at event like Olympic Games?

“We expected gold medal from Blessing Okagbare in the 100m women race but that was not to be.

“But we don’t have to crucify her because I think she was an under-dog going into the Olympics.

“Despite our expectations, what was the level of the athletes’ preparations going into the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“For me, she did her best, just like the others. Those who did better than her, especially Campel has been in the sport for several years like about eight years or more, which is not the case with Blessing Okagbare”.