Mike Edwards is protedting after the IAAF stops him from participating at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Mike Edwards Instagram)
Former Great Britain athlete Mike Edwards has started a protest to represent Nigeria at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia.
Mike Edwards is a high jumper with dual citizenship who decided to dump Britain and represent Nigeria.
The 27-year-old was included in the list of athletes released by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to represent Nigeria at the games.
Edwards participation is now reportedly in jeopardy with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) not clearing him ahead of the competition.
Mike Edwards wants to represent Nigeria at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Mike Edwards Instagram)
Edwards has represented Great Britain and is now facing challenges as he aims to now represent Nigeria.
In a post on his Instagram account Edwards stated that he is appealing to the IAAF to clear him for the Commonwealth Games despite representing Great Britain earlier in his career.
No shame. I#emo#4oCZ##ll stand here everyday until @iaaf_athletics makes a change. It#emo#4oCZ##s wrong what they#emo#4oCZ##re doing. I#emo#4oCZ##ve come too far. I#emo#4oCZ##ve sacrificed way too much to fold at the Commonwealth Games. @gc2018 As a law abiding dual citizen of Great Britain and Nigeria I should have every right to represent #TeamNigeria regardless if I chose to represent my birth country GB almost a decade ago, at a Jr. level Championship. Is this what Athletics has come to @iaaf_athletics ?? People behind the desk dictating on innocents athletes wanting to give back to their respective countries, but you can allow Ex-drug cheats to represent at every Major Championship including the Olympic Games – to sell more tickets (yea that part) don#emo#4oCZ##t get me started, it#emo#4oCZ##s just pathetic. I may not be the most decorated athlete in the world but I#emo#4oCZ##m resilient. Remember it#emo#4oCZ##s been (9 YEARS) since my last major Championship. I don#emo#4oCZ##t quit easy… This sign is a representation of the levels I#emo#4oCZ##m willing to take it too. I just want to compete. Call me back @iaaf_athletics #emo#77iP## The People#emo#4oCZ##s Champ #whateverittakes #TeamNigeria
A post shared by Mike Edwards (@aireyys) on Mar 30, 2018 at 5:04am PDT
The message said, ”No shame. I’ll stand here every day until @iaaf_athletics makes a change. It’s wrong what they’re doing. I’ve come too far. I’ve sacrificed way too much to fold at the Commonwealth Games. @gc2018.”
Edwards also stated that he only represented Great Britain at junior level hence the IAAF should allow him to participate in the games.
“As a law-abiding dual citizen of Great Britain and Nigeria I should have every right to represent #TeamNigeria regardless if I chose to represent my birth country GB almost a decade ago, at a Jr. level Championship.” The message continues.
A post shared by Mike Edwards (@aireyys) on Mar 26, 2018 at 4:35pm PDT
Edwards also pointed out that he took him some time to get to the level he is now and that his hard work will be in vain if he is denied the opportunity to compete.
He said,“ I may not be the most decorated athlete in the world but I’m resilient, Remember it’s been (9 YEARS) since my last major Championship. I don’t quit easy… This sign is a representation of the levels I’m willing to take it too. I just want to compete. Call me back @iaaf_athletics,”
If Edwards is to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games the IAAF will have to clear him for participation in the competition which will commence from Wednesday, April 4 till Sunday, April 15.
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