Ayodele Solaja, youth coach of world record holder in athletics Tobi Amusan, says everyone in the United States is envious of her exploit.
Solaja’s statement followed comments made by American track legend Michael Johnson about the electric timer at the final of the 100m hurdles at World Athletics Championship held in Eugene, Oregon.
At the championship, Amusan became the first Nigerian to hold a world record in athletics after she finished the 100m hurdles in the semi-final in just 12.12 seconds. In the final, Amusan clocked 12.06 seconds in a wind-assisted victory.
Solaja, who coached the 25-year-old while she was a student at the Our Lady of Apostles, Ijebu Ode, said Johnson and other Americans were jealous of Amusan.
“Everyone in the US, including Michael Johnson, are just wallowing in envy because of the achievement of Tobi,” Solaja told PUNCH.
“Tobi has done what no Nigerian could do in the World Championship.”
Solaja founded Buka Tiger Athletic Club in 1997, where he began using his athletics skills and techniques to teach young children.
He earned a higher national diploma (HND) in accounting at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos.
Although Solaja could not recall the exact year Amusan joined Buka Tiger Athletic Club, he told TheCable that he knew she had the talent to achieve big things in athletics but he was not thinking about breaking world record.
“At that time, she was so small. Even though she had that talent, she was tiny. We used to call her ‘Shanko’ at that time. But as a coach, I expect the best from my athletes and hope that they can even go further than their talents and strength can carry them,” he said.
Amusan’s father Kehinde told PUNCH that he was not bothered by the American comments.
