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The inspiring journey of talented 400m runner Chidi Okezie whose choice of representing Nigeria over USA and Jamaica paid off by becoming an Olympian.
When Chidi Okezie boldly decided to start donning the Nigerian colours in 2016, there were mixed reactions from track enthusiasts in the country, majorly because he had dual eligibility to represent the USA or Jamaica.
The lanky speedster was categorised in the league of 'Naijamericans' - a local parlance depiction of athletes born abroad, who only chose Nigeria for international 'career-boosting' acclamation as there are limited opportunities for sub-par athletes in the powerhouse countries.
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Eight years down the line Okezie hasn't just changed the notion of this tag name by becoming a household name in Nigerian athletics, he has also consistently risen through the ranks to be one of the most respected in the continent.
He has created a lasting legacy as a role model to the present generation of Nigerian athletes, home and abroad, who desire to put Nigerian athletics on the global map and ensure the country is well-represented at international championships.
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Dumping USA to choose Nigeria
Born in the United States to a Nigerian father and Jamaican mother, the 31-year-old embodies the resilience of the modern athlete.
Okezie specializes in the 400m event, being successful on both continental and global stages, and has filled his trophy cabinet with an impressive collection of medals.
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In 2012, he first represented the United States at the World Junior Championships in the 4x400m relay event as his team clinched gold in a time of 3.03.99. Four years later as a 21-year-old, Okezie made the life-changing decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria, with his first competition at the 2016 African Championships in Durban, South Africa, where he won the 400m bronze medal.
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His successful outing in Durban set his international career rolling as a powerhouse in the continent, adding six more bronze medals in the 400m and 4x400m from 2018 to 2024. He also represented Nigeria at the 2016 and 2018 World Indoor Championships, before his Olympic debut in Paris this season.
When asked why he chose Nigeria over USA and Jamaica, Okezie said:
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"My name, Chidi Okezie, is an Igbo name, and that was the first thing that went into it because my name is Nigerian. Being Nigerian, Jamaican, and born in the US, I wanted to choose a country where I could make the most impact so that whenever I left, my legacy would be known forever. I knew Nigeria’s history could have my name in there,” he said in an exclusive interview with Olympics.com.
“It’s just the culture that is rich, it’s just the experience. I always tell people, experience for yourself, everybody's experience is different."
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Okezie is indeed marking his legacy and is now a role model to young Nigerian sprinters and quarter-milers, with his gold medal-winning moment coming at the African Games in Ghana this year.
He clinched the 400m title in a personal best of 45.06s, which saw him become the first Nigerian since the legendary Innocent Egbunike attained the feat in 1987. Likewise, he clocked his first career sub-45s to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
“The last time a Nigerian won was back in the '80s. So, I wanted to make sure I put my name on that (list) and that’s what I did,” said Okezie.
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Despite Paris Olympics not going his way as he wanted after failing to advance from the men's 400m heats – finishing fifth in the repechage round with a time of 45.92s, and the Nigerian men's 4x400m relay squad being disqualified after the team finished second in their semi-final, Okezie remains hopeful of a comeback at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028:
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“It will mean a lot. Most of the time people say, 'Oh you should retire and get a real job', but I think that all my hard work will pay off.”
The ever-supportive and patriotic sprinter believes Nigeria’s 400m team can only get better, and he will be there to guide the young squad in the next few years to several championships and Olympic glory.
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