Sprint heroines hail start of a new era
WOMEN’S sprinting has entered a new era, declared African duo Murielle Ahoure of the Ivory Coast and Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare after they won the continent’s firstever medals in the women’s world 200m final on Friday in Moscow.
Ahoure, 25, took her second silver of the World Athletics Championships, having become the first African woman to win a medal in the world 100m final in a photo finish with Okagbare behind Jamaica’s 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Both of them may train in the US and have American accents — Ahoure has lived in America since she was a child after arriving from the Ivory Coast via a brief stay in France — but they are Africans to the core.
“Tonight has seen a new era launched in women’s sprinting,” said a radiant Ahoure.
“I am so proud to be up here as an African.”
Ahoure, who said earlier in the week her fame is such in the Ivory Coast that she is known as “the female Drogba” after the iconic footballer, has said she wants to act as a role model for budding African athletes.
The daughter of a former chief of staff of the Ivorian army, Ahoure hopes this will halt the drain of talent to countries that offer them money.
“I think it is sad so many African athletes feel it is necessary to move abroad and run for other countries,” said Ahoure, who has five siblings.
“At the same time, I understand that they have to make a living and an athlete’s life is a precarious one. You live with the ever-present fear of injury which can end your career.”
Ahoure is unequivocal when asked whether Africa can produce the talent to dominate the women’s sprints as the Jamaicans have largely done over the past few years. “Yes,” she said firmly. However, she accepts that this comes with a big caveat.
“We need investment in infrastructure and training facilities,” she said.
Okagbare, who trains with America’s 100m world champion from 2011 Carmelita Jeter, admits that her second medal of the week in what was her third final — she won silver in the long jump and finished out of the medals in the 100m — carried more than personal significance.
“It’s an honour to make a bit of history for Africa,” said the 24-year-old.
“I may live in the United States, but I am a proud African and moments like this are wonderful when I feel I am putting them on the map in athletics.
“I just hope that people will look back and say I gave Africa something to smile about at a world championships.”—