Meet Regina George, Nigeria’s 400M Women’s Champion

    Connect Nigeria’s Arinze Ude interviewed Regina George, Nigeria’s Women’s 400m Champion, on Twitter yesterday. George won the Women’s 400m event at the 2012 and 2013 Nigeria Athletics Championships. She also represented Nigeria at the 2012 London Olympics as well as 2013 Moscow World Championship. CN: Who is Regina George? Can you tell me a little about yourself? RG: I was born and raised in Chicago. My mom is Venezuelan and my dad is Nigerian. I was first a soccer player; my dad was my coach. CN: How old are you? RG: I am 23 years old, born on February 17 1991. CN: You are currently the reigning Nigeria Women’s 400m Champion, how did you get the chance to compete for Nigeria? RG: I got to compete because my dad is Nigerian. CN: But who convinced you to choose Nigeria over USA? RG: No one! It was really a choice between Venezuela and Nigeria because that’s where all my family is. I never met my grandma in Nigeria so that was my chance and I love that I got to see my family in Nigeria. CN: Where in Nigeria is your dad from? RG:r He is from Lagos. CN: Do you regret choosing Nigeria over Venezuela? How’s the ride been so far? RG: No I don’t regret it at all and Venezuela still shows love and support for me which I appreciate. The ride has been ok; I feel it can be better this year. It’s been showing a lot of improvements. CN: You have competed in the United States and Nigeria, what do you think we can do to raise our game in athletics? RG: There needs to be more support for the athletes’ wellbeing. In order to get medals, we need healthy athletes. Without support, people get injured and take long to recover. We just need an organized system with the way we handle things but like I said it has gotten much better. CN: At the 2012 London Olympics you were initially banned for drug abuse. Could you recap what happened? RG: I wasn’t banned, they dismissed that but I take medication that I need, approved by the IAAF (World Athletics Body) which has been approved since that matter. CN: Trials for the Commonwealth Games will take place later this month. Are you looking forward to it? RG: Yes I should be in Nigeria by the 16^th. CN: What are your expectations? Are you looking to smash your personal best of 50.99 seconds and win the Championship for the third consecutive year? RG: It was 50.85 seconds done at the World Indoor Championships last year in the semis. And yes! I always compete to be better than I was yesterday. CN: The Commonwealth and ECOWAS Games are around the corner. Do you think Nigerian athletes are more prepared to do better than their last outing at the Olympics? RG: Yes I think at the World Relays we made an example of that. CN: This past year has been awesome for your colleague, Blessing Okagbare. Do you think a Nigerian quartet including you and Okagbare can go for gold at these games? RG: Yes I believe so! CN: Considering soccer was your first love, do you see yourself switching to soccer in the future? RG: I’ve always thought about switching. I never knew I wouldn’t be playing anymore but I feel great that things are happening for me in track and I won’t stop until I fulfil my dream. CN: What is your dream? RG: To run under 49.2 seconds. CN: Are you ecstatic about the World Cup? RG: Yes I am. CN: How far do you think the Super Eagles will go? RG: I guess we shall see. CN: Fair enough. Which athlete do you look up to? RG: Everyone because we all driving in the same way. CN: There was an incident involving you and the police a few years ago. What’s your own side of the story? RG: That’s been resolved and that case was dismissed. CN: Ok. For the Nigerian young men reading this, are you single? RG: Yes and I am not looking right now, just sticking to the track. CN: There you have it lads. It has been a pleasure conversing with you. I hope we get to do more of this in the nearest future. Thank you for your time. RG: Thanks!