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Nigeria’s women 4x400m are in a position to win a medal and spare the country some blushes as the IAAF World Championships ends today in Beijing, China. It would be recalled that the country had not won any medal since the event began, while other countries already have their names registered on the medal table. This has led to growing concerns on the home front as Nigerians have started querying the make up of the Nigerian contingents to the event. It is however hoped that Nigeria will be spared the blushes as the event runs to an end.

The team featuring Regina George, Funke Oladoye, Tosin Adeloye and Patience Okon-George clocked a season’s best of 3.23. 27mins to come first in their heat, while the USA with 3.23.05 seconds won the second heat. The other fast times are those returned by Jamaica and Russia; 3.23.62mins and 3.23.75 respectively.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Okon-George anchored team could clinch the gold or at least settle for a silver in the event. The athletes also think they are in good form to do the deed and finally record Nigeria's name on the medal chart. They seem to be in high spirit as they look forward to the race.

“It is in God’s hands, and we leave that to Him. But we will do our best,” Regina George said after the race. She had a good start and led all the way to the first change over.

“I didn’t do what I wanted to do in the 400m open and so I came out here to give it best,”added the athlete who has a very strong finish. Her team mate Okon-George, praised the team’s spirit. She stated that the women are totally focused on winning a medal for Nigeria.

In the women high jump, Doreen Amata failed to find her bearings. She could only muster 1.88m in the final won by Russia’s Maria Kuchina with 2.01m. The same tale of woe persisted in other events that Nigeria had taken part in. Analysts have it that this is one of the worst international events in Nigeria's athletic performances and some are putting the blame down on the athletes' preparation for the event.

Usain Bolt added relay gold to his list of triumphs at the 2015 World Athletics Championships in Beijing as Jamaica eased to victory in the 4x100m final. Bolt was barely tested on the final straight and crossed the line in 37.37secs after Nickel Ashmeade, Asafa Powell and Nesta Carter had laid the foundation for success. Consequently, the Jamaican team has a better performance than Nigeria so far.

A US team made up of Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Trayvon Bromell and Mike Rodgers initially took silver but were later disqualified after their final baton exchange was adjudged to have occurred outside of the designated zone.

That decision led to hosts China being promoted to second and Canada snatching bronze, but Great Britain disappointingly dropped out of medal contention when their third handover between James Ellington and Chijindu Ujah was botched.