Olopade targets eight athletics titles in Glasgow

As the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow get underway, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, is upbeat about Team Nigeria's athletics contingent, predicting they will bring home between seven and eight gold medals, with track and field events commencing on Monday.

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The athletics events will see Nigeria represented in the men's and women's 100m heats, as well as the women's hammer throw and women's F57 para shot put, with the country's athletes poised to make their mark in these competitions.

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Reigning national champion Favour Ashe and Fakorede Adekalu will lead the charge for Nigeria in the men's 100m heats, aiming to secure spots in the semi-finals, while Miracle Ezechukwu will compete in the women's 100m heats.

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Sade Olatoye will feature in the women's hammer throw, and Eucharia Iyiazi will contest the women's F57 para shot put, giving Nigeria a strong presence in these events.

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In Glasgow, Olopade expressed his confidence in the country's medal prospects, citing the projections of the NSC's elite board, which indicate that Nigeria is on track for a successful outing, with the athletics team's spirit being particularly high.

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According to Olopade, the projections suggest that Nigeria can expect to win around seven to eight gold medals, a prospect that has boosted the team's morale, with the Director General stating, "So far, so good, if the projections of the elite board are anything to go by, we are still on track."

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Olopade also took the opportunity to praise the athletes and officials he has worked with over the past one and a half years, expressing his pride in their efforts and noting that Nigeria can now be counted as a major player in sports.

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The Director General reiterated the commission's commitment to athlete welfare, describing it as a key pillar of the current administration, and emphasizing the importance of rewarding athletes for their hard work and dedication.

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Meanwhile, Team Nigeria's medal tally has been boosted by weightlifter Ruth Nyong, who staged a dramatic comeback to claim silver in the women's 48kg event on Sunday, finishing with a total lift of 168kg.

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Nyong's silver medal was secured after she successfully completed a lift of 93kg on her final attempt, having missed her first two attempts, and finishing behind India's Mirabai Chanu, while Malaysia's Irene Henry took the bronze medal.

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Nigeria's weightlifters have now won a total of three gold and four silver medals, with their impressive performance coming to a close on Sunday.