Nigerians Come To Defence of Seye Ogunlewe following Commonwealth Gaffe

Almost nothing unites the people of Nigeria like sports. It’s one of the things that brings out the patriotism like none other whether it’s the Super Eagles, Bobsledders or athletes. As the Commonwealth Games continue to go on, Nigerians have come together one more time to fight for what they’ve seen as an injustice to the country’s fastest man, 26 year old, Seye Ogunlewe.

After qualifying for the semifinals by coming in second place with a time of 10.20 seconds in Heat 8 behind Jamaica’s Yohannes Blake, Ogunlewe then qualified for the finals as he again recorded 10.20 seconds which served as his season best. In the Finals, Ogunlewe was ruled to have come in fourth place after he finished in 10.19 seconds, alongside Blake who was said to have come third while South African duo, Akani Simbine and Henricho Bruintjies came in first and second place.

https://twitter.com/7CommGames/status/983318555469860864?tfw_site=newscomauHQ&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fsport%2Fcommonwealth-games%2Fathletics%2Fakani-simbine-wins-100m-sprint-final-as-south-african-duo-stun-jamaican-yohan-blake%2Fnews-story%2Fa9fe1f3b0f4bf4e3ae6cbd49b58f3569

With the same time, the decision on who gets the bronze medal ultimately went to reaction time where Blake did better, however, photo evidence suggests Nigeria’s fastest man may just have crossed the line ahead of the world’s former fastest man.

In his defence, his management group, The Temple Company and other affiliated individuals have taken to social media with some support from other Nigerians with the hashtag #AwardSeyeHisMedal taking over the streets of social media.

@iaaforg based on this image, Nigeria’s Seye Ogunlewe placed third. Please tell us the magic that landed Blake the bronze medal. #AwardSeyeHisMedal #IAAFWhereIsOurMedal #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/xArYzYkWkJ

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) April 9, 2018

https://twitter.com/idiriza/status/983340731073998848

Quite disappointing that @seyeogunlewe didn’t get the bronze medal at the 100m commonwealth games final. So obvious he deserves it!! #awardSeyehismedal pic.twitter.com/V82YaxOEOF

— Chuma Anyaegbunam (@chumaanyaegbuna) April 9, 2018

https://twitter.com/juhmiecake/status/983353465970810880

@iaaforg how in the world did Blake finish 3rd? This is DAYLIGHT ROBBERY at #GC2018. You just robbed Africa of a clean sweep! This is illogical and criminal! #AwardSeyeHisMedal #IAAFWhereIsOurMedal pic.twitter.com/5usKEzY9un

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) April 9, 2018

How will 4th place be given to @seyeogunlewe when the photofinish CLEARLY shows otherwise??? #awardSeyehismedal #GC2018 #GC2018Athletics

— Miss Cheese (@Tomisinn_) April 9, 2018

https://twitter.com/officialdaddymo/status/983361177517510656

Commonwealth Games, kindly do the right thing by awarding Nigeria’s Seye Ogunlewe his medal. He worked very hard for this. We’ve made it easy for you by finding you this image that YOU displayed on our screens. Please #awardSeyehismedal #CG2018 pic.twitter.com/2lQu2cpNkX

— #BISOLA-THE PLAYLIST (@iambisola) April 9, 2018