Originally published in CBN News
Simidele Adeagbo is the first African woman to qualify for the Winter Olympics in the sport of Skeleton.
The 36-year-old athlete will be representing Nigeria after only taking up the sport last year — a feat for which she gives all glory to God.
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“It’s official! I’m an Olympian! I’m honored to be the 1st Nigerian, African & Black female athlete to be represented in the sport of Skeleton at the Winter Olympics! Faith has turned my God-given dream into a reality! Thx everyone for all ur love & support. Next stop is Pyeongchang!” Adeagbo wrote on Instagram when she first announced the big news.
This isn’t Adeagbo’s first bid for a spot at the Olympic Games. After moving to the United Sates from Nigeria as a child, she spent much of her time training as an athlete.
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By age 26, she held the National Collegiate Athletic Association record in triple jump at the University of Kentucky. However, when she attempted to qualify for the Olympics in triple jump she didn’t make it.
Disappointed, Adeagbo gave up on being an athlete. Fast forward 10 years later and she still couldn’t shake her dream of going to the Olympics. So, she decided to learn Skeleton, a sport in which an athlete rides face down on a sled reaching speeds up to 80MPH with nothing but their body weight to steer.
She quickly became a world champion and after a lot of hard work and prayer, she finally achieved her goal of becoming an Olympian.
“10* days (depends on ur time zone) to go until the 2018 Winter Olympics! I’m prayed up and ready to go! Swipe to check it out. Thx @everynation.rosebank family. Keep the prayers coming please! #whenjesussaysyes,” she posted on Instagram a little over a week before the Olympics began.
Adeagbo has also used her Instagram to share scriptures and positive encouragement to her fans.
Happy Sunday everyone! “Worship renews your faith and restores your joy” — @pastorrickwarrenIsaiah 40:31
