Original Story Published by: The Lane Report
(Above) Former Eastern High and University of Kentucky track star Simidele Adeagbo will represented her home country of Nigeria in the skeleton competition at the Winter Olympics.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 13, 2018) — It was September when she first touched a skeleton sled out of curiosity. September 2017, that is. As in … five months ago. Before then, she had never heard of the sliding sport where an athlete hurtles head-first down a frozen track.
This month, University of Kentucky alumna Simidele “Simi” Adeagbo makes history as Nigeria’s first female skeleton athlete, Africa’s first female skeleton Olympian and the first black female skeleton Olympian.
“It feels amazing to be an Olympian, but this journey is about the bigger significance of what I’m doing: showing a future generation of athletes what’s possible and showing people that it’s up to you to create your future.”
Her story could arguably be one of the best comebacks in sports. Not only did she come out of a 10-year retirement to compete in the Olympics, but she became one of the best in the world at a sport she mastered in less than six months.
“Why not me, why not now?” is a question the 36-year-old has frequently asked herself over the past few weeks. It wasn’t a conventional path to the Olympics — but in a way, she’s been preparing for this her whole life.
“I’m just excited for the whole experience — marching in for the opening ceremonies, competing, cheering on my teammates, attending the other events. Nobody was sure how this would turn out. I’m blessed with this opportunity and beaming with pride.” —Simidele Adeagbo
Adeagbo was born in Toronto to Nigerian parents and lived in Nigeria for several years as a child, later growing up between the U.S. and Canada. She eventually made her way to UK. While earning her journalism degree here in the early 2000s, Adeagbo was also breaking records on the UK Track and Field team. She was a four time All-American and remains the outdoor school record holder in the triple jump. She was also an Academic All-American and Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, and an NCAA and Southeastern Conference scorer.
“You have to be powerful, strong and fast for both sports,” she said.
The first few seconds of a skeleton race begin with a running start that is “very similar to a long jump and triple jump,” where Adeagbo bolts as fast as she can. Except in skeleton, she’s running on a frozen ice track, pushing a nearly 80-pound sled, then hurling herself onto the sled and down an ice roller coaster at 80 mph — with her face inches from the ice. No big deal.
Although new to the sport of skeleton, this isn’t Adeagbo’s first crack at the Olympics.
