Olympics: Bello, Otudeo prepare to take canoeing by storm

Nigeria will be represented in the canoeing event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which begins on July 26, by Ayomide Bello and Beauty Otudeo, a powerful duo who secured their spot after impressive performances in the qualifiers.

Ayomide Bello and Beauty Otudeo have earned their place in the C1 (200m) and C2 (500m) canoeing events, respectively, and will proudly represent Nigeria in Paris.

Nigeria’s participation in the canoeing event at the upcoming Olympics in Paris marks a streak of four consecutive appearances, dating back to the 2012 London Games.

At just 17, Bello became the first female Nigerian canoeist to compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 after beating out other African contenders at the C1 200 event at Africa’s Tokyo 2020 qualifiers in Morocco to claim the spot.

In March of that year, she became the first Nigerian to win gold at an international sporting event when she claimed the top trophy at the Open International Canoe Sprint Competition in India.

Beauty, who paired Bello to win the women’s C2 500m event at the Canoe Sprint African Paris 2024 Qualifier in Nigeria, has not found it easy and recently recalled her journey into canoeing in 2015 with her voice trembling with emotion.

In 2018, Otuedo decided to give canoeing one last shot with her elder brother, Goodluck Gbamire, coaching her.

“I participated in several national competitions, including the African Admiral Porbeni Event, and won bronze,” Otuedo told Olympics.com of her comeback.

After facing challenges and showing remarkable determination, the athlete’s hard work paid off with a triumphant win at the Canoe Sprint African Olympic Qualifier.

Racing alongside Ayomide Bello, the Nigerian duo dominated the women’s C2 500m event at Jabi Lake, crossing the finish line in a blistering 2:24.45 and claiming the top spot on home waters. Their impressive performance also earned them a coveted Olympic quota spot for the 2024 Paris Games

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