In two years, Seye Ogunlewe has become one of Nigeria’s top athletes. He underlined his rise to stardom by becoming the fastest man in Nigeria. It was just last year that the former Atlantic Hall School student announced his presence in Nigeria’s athletics scene after winning men’s 100 metres at the national trials in Warri, Delta State for the trials of 2015 World Athletics Championship. Two weeks ago, he repeated the same feat at Sapele Township Stadium and he was crowned the best male sprinter in the country for the second consecutive year. The performance also earned Ogunlewe a place in the 35-man list for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil where he would make his debut. The United Kingdom (UK)-based athlete, who believes the Olympics will be his launching pad to stardom, told OLALEKAN OKUSAN that his emergence as Nigeria’s best sprinter is a result of years of hardwork.
Seye Ogunlewe’s background did not suggest that he would embrace sports to such a level that he would one day rule the national scene. He was born with a silver spoon and for people in this category, sports is seen as recreation- something they do to for fun or turn to when they are bored with their computers at home. This group of kids are also expected to face their studies squarely so that they take over from their fathers who are top politicians, blue-chip executives and top government functionaries, after graduating with first-class in some of the top universities either in Nigeria or abroad.
However, despite the huge expectation from the young Ogunlewe, he was not discouraged to embrace sports, making sure he effectively combined sports and education to the admiration of his father, Seye Ogunlewe (snr.), a former Minister of Works. Ogunlewe’s first love was football but it was at Atlantic Hall that one of his teachers identified his potential in athletics and this was how he started his athletics career.
Narrating his foray into sports, Ogunlewe said: “I actually started with football, but I noticed that I was quick on the ball and with the advice of one of my teachers, I started doing athletics while I was at Atlantic Hall. We did a few trials where I did fairly well and I started racing for my house in junior class one. I must also acknowledge the support of one of my teachers, Mr. Nwigwe, who identified that I had the potential to do well in athletics. Also I must recognise the huge role played by the school head of sports, Mrs. Akande (nee Oketade) who played a major role in my taking to athletics,” he said.
His performance even as a junior student caught the attention of Akande, who listed Ogunlewe in the school relay teams and he shone like a star in the various meets he attended. After his secondary education, Ogunlewe moved to United Kingdom (UK) to further his education where he continued his career in athletics. Despite burning the track in his new environment, he never neglected his education as he was admitted at the University of Essex to study Law and Politics.
Few days before his graduation, Ogunlewe was in Sapele to compete for a place at Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. He topped in the final to win his second consecutive national title in the 100 metres, having claimed the title in 2015 enroute the 2015 World Athletics Championship in Russia.
The 25 year-old who was rewarded with a place in the 35-man track and field list for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil expressed confidence in his ability to become one of the top athletes in the world in the near future. “I am done with school so I will no longer have to combine the two (studies and sports). It was tough for me combining both, but with discipline and hardwork, it worked for me. I actually did a joint degree in Law and Politics because I have to start thinking of life after sports. I wanted to have something to fall back on once I am done with my career in sports,” he noted.
From running 10.80 seconds in 100metres in 2010, Ogunlewe has continued to improve every year and now has 10:12secs as his personal best, a time he also hope to improve on in future. Despite tempting offer from other countries, Ogunlewe is still in love with the green and white colours of Nigeria. “All I want is to excel and continue to do the country proud. I live and train in the UK and that does not mean I want to compete for Great Britain. I am a Nigerian so I want to represent my country and not any other.
Ogunlewe cannot also underestimate the enormous support he has been getting from his family. He told a local website recently that, “I am lucky that I have a family that supports me and helps me to get to where I want to be. It is a good thing when your loved ones support you in whatever profession you choose. It gives you assurance that nothing can go wrong. I get all support from my family because without them I would not be where I am right now, so all thanks go to them.”
According to Ogunlewe, his qualification for the Rio Olympic Games is a dream come true. “It feels great to make the team to Rio and this has always been my dream to dominate the athletics scene in Nigeria. I am grateful to God for this opportunity. It is every athlete’s dream to go to the Olympic Games so words cannot express how I feel at the moment on my qualification. I must admit that it was not easy qualifying and who says it was easy? It is never easy because we have top quality sprinters in Nigeria and it is always difficult to win the 100 metres and so I must admit that it was not easy at all,”
Despite his admiration for Olympic and World Champion, Usain Bolt, who he considers his role model, Ogunlewe believes he would not be admiring the Jamaican when they are on track in Rio. “My role mode is Usain Bolt because he is the best and he doesn’t take it too seriously and this reminds me of myself as I am always calm. Like me, Bolt is also a Man United supporter, but when we get to Rio, I would not be admiring him on track as everybody will be aiming for the ultimate medal. My target is to go as far as possible in the 100 metres and of course that is why I train hard each day to compete with the best athletes in the world. For now, this is not where I want to be, but by August 12 I should be there.
To reaffirm his commitment to the Nigeria project, Ogunlewe said: “As long as I am running, I will represent Nigeria at the highest level, but only God knows the future not man,” he said.
As an undergraduate at University of Essex, Ogunlewe dominated the sprint event as he was crowned the British indoor University champion in 2013 and this fetched him accolades from the management of the school.
On whether his father’s status as former Minister of Works paved the way for him, Ogunlewe said: “I think I want to be on my own. My father has nothing to do with me taking to athletics. It is my decision and the only thing he has been doing for me is to support my dream. I never used his influence to get anything as an athlete; I only rely on my ability to pave the way for me.”
Despite his passion for athletics, Ogunlewe said gaining admission to University of Essex had nothing to do with his sporting prowess as he had to pass his Advanced Level (A ‘Level) examination to gain admission into the institution.
His foray into athletics has given him the opportunity to rub shoulders with the world’s best and also meet with the crème-de-la-crème in the society. “I can say that athletics still has a lot to offer me because I am still aiming high, but at the main time, I have been able to meet the best athletes in the world as well as hobnob with influential people, which for me is a big plus as an athlete,” he said.
Unlike in the UK, where athletes get support and sponsorship from corporate bodies and individuals, Ogunlewe is piqued that the same does not happen in Nigeria. “If I am a Briton I am sure by now, I would have gotten sponsors running after me, but in Nigeria this is not happening. Athletes have to rely on family and friends to sustain themselves. This is not too good for athletics and I hope this sad development will change with time. I am hoping that we will start getting support in the near future as this would help us rule the world.”
He also gave an insight into his future on the tracks by revealing that he hopes to combine 200metre and 100metre later this year. He added that he hopes to improve his timing before the Olympic Games. “I wouldn’t say that the timing I had during the national trial was not right for me this year, but I hope to do more 200m later this season. I am not where I am hoping to be, but I will keep working hard and praying.”
On his expectation from Team Nigeria at Rio, he added: “I cannot speak for anyone in Team Nigeria as I do not know what everyone is doing regarding preparation. I can only speak for myself, but I am sure everyone travelling to Rio would do their best.”
