Eid Naser: ‘I hope my Olympic silver is special for Bahrain people’

As the curtain is about to be drawn on the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday with Team Nigeria returning home without a medal, Nigeria-born Bahrani, Salwa Eid Naser, formerly Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu, says her 400m silver is more special than the 400m gold she won five years ago at the World Athletics Championships.

Eid Naser’s silver is Bahrain’s second at the Games after the women’s 3000m steeplechase gold won by Winfred Yavi and the ‘Nigerian’ hopes her medal is as special to her as it is to the people of her adopted country.

‘This one is special, it’s special, I will not lie. I’ve done it within 48 seconds, it’s amazing. I hope it’s special for Bahrain too. I hope the people of Bahrain are happy,’ the 26-year-old told the Daily Tribune.

The Anambra state born athlete has won several medals for her adopted country and reflected on the final moments of the race at the Stade de France.

‘I was just trying to finish my race and get a good time, because at the end of the day, we are competing against the time. It’s not just about the points but also having a good time,’ she said.

Eid Naser is just one of two Nigerians who won individual medals for another country after Yemisi Ogunleye won the Shot Put gold for Nigeria.