Just the start for Nigeria after Winter Olympic debut

Pyeongchang, South Korea (dpa) - Nigeria‘s first Winter Games team - two women competing in bobsleigh and one in skeleton - can expect a triumphant return home despite last-placed finishes at the Winter Olympics."Back at home the government and the people of Nigeria are all waiting for them to come back to give them a heroes‘ welcome because they have done very well for the country," Nigeria‘s National Olympic Committee president Habu Gumel said in Pyeongchang on Thursday."The country is happy with them, we are proud of them and we are going back home to celebrate."Gumel said it might have been Nigeria‘s first participation at a Winter Games, but it would not be its last."I want to assure everybody that this is only the beginning. Nigeria will continue to participate in the Winter Olympic Games for many years to come," he said."It is not going to be in skeleton and bobsleigh only. In the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games you will see a lot of change. You will see a lot of big performances and a lot of improvements."Seun Adigun and Ngozi Onwumere were 7.15 seconds off the winning time by gold medallists Mariama Jamanka and Lisa Buckwitz of Germany in the women‘s bobsleigh on Wednesday. Simidele Adeagbo had earlier in the Games finished last in the women‘s skeleton, 9.50 seconds behind gold winner Lizzy Yarnold of Britain.But the experience has been exhilarating for all of them."I think I am just beginning to wrap my head around the impact that this historic feat is making. Not only in Nigeria, not only on the continent of Africa, but also globally," Adeagbo said."I received an email the other day from a fan in China, asking for an autographed picture, and that just really blew my mind because I didn‘t know anyone in China was paying attention to me or the team or what we were doing."Onwumere will also leave the Games with happy memories."South Korea is very cold, but the people are very warm," she said."I think it is always great to be around positivity and people that always want to help. We‘re very appreciative and we love the culture here."