Grace-Osaretin Wins Cycling Gold, Sets Sights On Youth Olympic Glory
Grace Osaretin-Godwin has won a gold medal for Nigeria in the cycling event of the ongoing African School Games in Anambra, Algeria .
Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) quoted Osaretin-Godwin as saying that she already had her eyes set on the youth Olympic which would be coming up in Dakar, Senegal next year.
She credited a growing cycling community in her hometown Benin City for her rapid development.
She also said other experienced cyclists like Senior Esse opened her eyes and those of her teammates to the immense possibilities in cycling.
“To think I only started in this sport two and a half years ago in Benin.
“I am being guided by a number of coaches in Benin, where cycling is becoming a culture.
“We have father figures like Dr. Emma Igbinosa, who was a rider in his younger days,,” she said.
She said her current coach, Omozusi Moses had been supportive as well as her teammate, Devine Ogbe, who went to the Games with her.
According to her, the gold medal she won was a “dream come true,” and she was quick to praise her support system.
In his part, Moses, her coach described members of the cycling team as his children.
”I try to tell them that training is the harder exercise and that competition is the simpler.
I also endeavour to teach her virtues of discipline and hard work. ”
Osaretin said even though she won the race, her team mate, Ogbe worked for my success, doing a lot of blocking to hel
p propel me ahead of the pack
