Nigerian men 4x400m team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics elevated to the
position of gold by the International Olympic Committee has been given
up to November 1, 2012 to return the silver medals in their possession
before the process of awarding the gold medals could be commenced.
The
United States was stripped of the gold after a member of its 4x400m
team, Antonio Pettigrew confessed to drugs use during the Games. The
Nigeria quartet of Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu, Sunday Bada and Enefiok
Udo-Obong clinched the silver in that memorable race.
The IOC
executive board confirmed before the London 2012 Olympics that gold
medals will be formally awarded to Nigeria four years after it had
stripped the Americans.
In a letter to the Nigeria Olympic
Committee, the IOC instructed that the silver medals and second placed
diplomas awarded to the team, be returned.
“In order to proceed
with the re-allocation of items in line with the new ranking, we kindly
ask your NOC to return the following items received by your team in
connection with the Men’s 4x400m relay event,” the letter stated.
The other members of the team include Nduka Awazie and Fedelis Gadzama who were reserves.
NOC
spokesman, Mr. Tony Ubani confirmed the reception of the letter. He
added that all the concerned athletes have been contacted and that the
NOC will meet the November 1 deadline.
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