Fifth-placed Divine says shot put decision was the right one

By Max Hall

Greenwich athlete Divine Oladipo said her decision to withdraw from the discus event at the Commonwealth Games, to focus on the shot-put, had paid off.

The Blackheath and Bromley Harrier, who had originally entered both disciplines, placed fifth in the shot with a second attempt of 17.28m last night and said she was happy with her performance after a big final effort which was ruled a no-throw after she fouled.

“I think I had a really good throw in the end so I know it’s in there and I know I’ve got so much more to give,” Oladipo told the South London Press.

“I was going to do the discus but it was a lot to do: shot qualifiers; discus final; shot final. It was just a bit much in a few days. If it had been a different set-up I would have done both.”

Asked if that was the right call, Oladipo said: “I think it was. I was able to give my all today and I think I’ve got a lot more to give.”

With the Alexander Stadium packed to the rafters, the Greenwich athlete said she had enjoyed her first outing at the games.

“The stadium is amazing. The crowd is going wild all the while and it was a really nice atmosphere to be in,” said the 23-year-old.

Interviewed in an athlete mixed zone teeming with members of the global media, the South London star said the exposure is crucial for sports like her field discipline.

“It keeps people engaged, it keeps people wanting to be in the sport,” she added, “I think that’s what we need to keep trying to encourage young people to be involved in sport. I think that’s really important.”

Pictured top: Divine Oladipo in action last night at the Alexander Stadium (Picture: Team England)