Olympics: Weightlifting federation begins preparation

The two weightlifters already qualified for the Rio Olympic Games have since commenced local preparation for the Games, an official of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) said on Tuesday.

Steve Olarinloye, NWF board member told National Daily that the early preparation was necessary for the lifters, while still awaiting the official camping to be conducted by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

He said the exercise commenced on Tuesday with the backing of the federation.

The weightlifters are, Miriam Usman, a +75 kg and Victoria Adesanmi, 63kg. Both gained their slots from Olympic qualifiers staged in the Houston, Texas, U.S., in November.

Olarinoye said that the preparation would help the coaching crew to update the technical skills of the lifters.

“The coach has his programme of activities which would require sufficient time to effectively impart new skills during the National camping.

“I am optimistic that the NSC will soon officially setting up national camps for the Olympics, but we don’t want to fold our hands until then.

“Whenever the weightlifters are invited to the national camp, they must have had some level of the early preparation.

“This is against the usual fire-brigade approach, which sometimes is not good enough,’’ he added.

The Ibadan-based Zonal Director of the NSC said that anti-doping tests would be administered on them in order to certify dope status ahead of the Games.

He said that the test would be carried by the NSC Anti-Doping Agency led by Femi Ayorinde, stressing that it would help to stem lapses that could jeopardise the integrity of the nation.

“We are particular on the anti-doping issue, and it is compulsory in national camp, after which the athletes all food, liquid and drug intakes will be strictly monitored,’’ he added.

Olarinloye who was silent on training tour, said that such would depend on what the NSC rolled out when the national camp begins.