Francis Obikwelu was born in Onitsha, Nigeria, in November 1978. At 14 years old he left school for work. While growing up, he frequently starved. Some days he ate only one meal, and occasionally he would not eat at all. However, his mother told him tomorrow was another day, so Francis and his siblings would be happy.

His father had been a football player and reached the Nigerian national team. As to his mother, she is an unstoppable force, never backing down even when in great difficulties. Thus, Francis obtained his father’s speed and his mother’s fortitude.

So he started working unloading trucks and selling bread on the street. Obikwelu followed his dad’s steps, playing football. One day he had an injury on his knee and stopped playing. Thus, a football coach of his suggested he should practice athletics. Knowing he ran fast, he gave it a try.

Obikwelu stood out in a short time as a very talented sprinter. He won a national competition and qualified for the World Junior Championships in Lisbon, 1994. Before he went, a Nigerian coach told him: “Don’t come back. Stay in Portugal because you are talented. If you come back to Nigeria, I will kill you.”

According to Francis, this was good advice, because in Nigeria, a country with almost 200 million people, where many of them are talented runners, it is difficult to stand out. In Europe, training conditions were better, and his talent stood out.

Obikwelu and a few colleagues had a very good evasion plan. They competed normally. Then, they rented a small pension near the police station in Lisbon. On the day the Nigerian team would fly back, they left. When the federation noticed it, they contacted the police. The police were looking for them and the 3 Nigerian athletes were on national news. Francis and his colleagues were closed in the pension with food, and the police would never search there.

Francis tried to get into the best athletics clubs in Portugal (Sporting and Benfica) but he was rejected. After some time living in Lisbon, he went to Algarve, in the South of Portugal to make a living as a construction worker. Back then, he would say his name was “John Smith” so he would not be caught.

An English teacher helped him learn Portuguese. He was having dinner with her family and he saw a newspaper with the news of missing Nigerian athletes. Francis then felt comfortable to tell his true story. His teacher knew a track and field coach, so she connected them both. Luckily, that coach, Fausto Ribeiro, said he was searching for the talented Obikwelu.

One year after restarting running he went to the World Junior Championships again in 1996. This time around, Obikwelu took two gold medals for the 100 metres and 200 metres, respectively. Soon he moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal.

In 1999, he took part in the 200 metres at the World Championships in Seville. He achieved a bronze medal after having made his personal record 19,84 seconds in the semifinals. Next challenge: Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He qualified for the semifinals, but he had an injury on his knee, which kept him away from the final.

A doctor saw him after he had done an MRI scan. He told Obikwelu he could not run anymore due to this injury. Francis responded: “in 4 years, I will come back and step on the Olympic podium.” After learning about his situation, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria sent him a letter. “We no longer require your services.” This lack of respect led him to begin running for Portugal from November 2001.

“It’s in bad times when we understand if we are capable of being champions or not. If we get up again and go, we are capable.” — Francis Obikwelu

Francis Obikwelu would not change his positive attitude. With some financial support from his club Sporting, he went to Canada for surgery. It did not go well. He even had a thrombosis. It took him a year to fully recover from that setback.

2002 came and the European Championships presented a good comeback opportunity. Obikwelu achieved silver medals both in 100m and 200m. As Dwain Chambers was later disqualified because of a doping ban, the 100m gold medal went to the Portuguese athlete. He also ran in the IAAF World Cup, gaining two medals again.

The following year was a discrete one for Obikwelu. Although he participated in the World Championships, he did not qualify for the quarterfinals.

Athens awaited him for the Olympic Games in 2004. For the 100 metres, the roster had a few candidates for the gold medal. Maurice Greene, the former gold medalist in Sydney 2000 and World Champion in 2001. Kim Collins, former World Champion in 2003. Besides, Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin were both young up-and-coming sprinters with 21 and 22 years old, respectively. Although Francis was not mentioned much in the media, Greene was aware of his potential.

Obikwelu passed the 1st round with ease. In the 2nd round, with more effort this time, he qualified again and beat the National record of Portugal with 9.93 seconds. Day 1 was over, day 2 would have the semifinals and the final. Francis would run in the same semifinal as Maurice Greene, Kim Collins and Asafa Powell. The first four would qualify.

Everyone was telling Obikwelu it was not going to be easy. Francis would reply: “My rivals are the ones who should be worried”. He qualified in 2nd place of his semifinal.

2 hours later, it was time for the long-awaited 100 metres final. The world stopped to watch some anxious minutes followed by 10 seconds of action. When he was introduced, Francis Obikwelu seemed calm and focused, as if he were born for this moment. Ready, set, go. Early on the race, he was slow, being at a disadvantage because he was the tallest sprinter there. Although his height would help him from the middle on. Francis flew past some competitors, leaning perfectly on the end and grabbing the 2nd place only behind Justin Gatlin.

Millions of Portuguese people went crazy in their homes. It was unseen in an Olympic track and field event. Francis beat the European record with 9.86 seconds and grabbed the first medal for Portugal at a sprinting event. His record is still unbeaten although it was equalled by Jimmy Vicaut. 4 days later he would finish 5th place in the 200 metres final.

Obikwelu became a national hero and a very likeable celebrity. His down-to-earth, easy-going and happy personality makes it hard for people not to like him. Francis is always humble and grateful for the support the Portuguese people have shown him throughout time.

He would go on to win two gold medals in the 2006 European Championships at his predilection events. That made him the first athlete to win both 100m and 200m on that stage. In 2008, Francis announced his retirement and set up his foundation to help young athletes. A year later, his bank account manager stole money from him. He then decided to run again.

Obikwelu still achieved at a major event in the European Indoor Games, where he won the 60 metres final. Nowadays, he continues to compete in veteran classes internationally. Francis has already been World Champion in a veteran class. He is also a coach and has trained not only track athletes but also footballers.

He has coached Cristiano Ronaldo and others. Even though it has only come out to the media recently, Obikwelu has known Ronaldo and trained with him since their time in Sporting (around 2002). As he likes to be low-profile, he does not brag about it.

When he ran in the 2004 Olympics I was just a young kid watching it in awe. I am pretty sure it had an impact on me writing it was my dream to go to the Olympic Games in my 4th-grade yearbook.

Francis Obikwelu likes to be surrounded by positive people. He says a very important aspect of his success has been his self-belief and courage. Besides, every year he visits his family and spends Christmas with them in Nigeria.

All in all, Obikwelu is a very good role model who is humble, tenacious and confident. Furthermore, he is very respectful to everyone around him and spreads happiness around him.

“What is money good for? Who has a lot [of money] should help others.” — Francis Obikwelu

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