Nigerian makes fatal last sprint

By PETER JESSUP

SYDNEY - Nigerian runner Hyginus Anugo made his last sprint at 9.10 Sydney time on Thursday night as he ran for a bus near the Christian camp and Bible college where his Olympic team is based.

Anugo, a budding 400m runner regarded as a big hope for the future, had been brought to Australia as a pacemaker but not a competitor. He was killed instantly when he was hit by a car while running across the road to a bus stop.

The accident happened just over 1km from the Southern Cross Bible College in Sefton, and news of the 22-year-old's death was carried quickly around the camp. The Nigerian team were so shocked that all they initially had to say was that this had never happened to them before.

Anugo has been just off Olympic qualifying times in the 200m and 400m and was a reserve for the 4 x 400m relay team.

Anugo's wife is also a 400m runner and is on her way to the Games. She was informed of the accident at a stopover and is expected to continue on to Sydney, arriving today.

Police spent more than four hours at the scene, taking measurements that would indicate whether the hotted-up, early-model Holden Torana driven by a 19-year-old from the suburb was travelling too fast. Anugo was thrown over the bonnet, smashing the windscreen, and rolled off the back of the car.

The driver received cuts and was treated for shock. He was interviewed for some time, then allowed to go home.

Police inquiries are continuing.

Nigerian chef de mission Fideliskibri Kaigama said Anugo had been with the team in pre-Games preparation in Adelaide. His travel and accommodation there had been paid for by the Nigerian Olympic Committee and he was due to have left for home on September 4, when the team moved on to the Sydney Games village.

For reasons known only to himself he did not catch the plane. He had been staying privately and was not in breach of any immigration regulations.

The Nigerian flag was lowered to half mast. Kaigama said the team of more than 200 knew Anugo well and were shocked and saddened. They wanted to grieve privately and would not make further statements.

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