HBCU at the Paris Olympics: Hampton University duo set for debut

HAMPTON, Va. — Former HBCU track and field athletes Chidi Okezie and Edose Ibadin of Hampton University are preparing to compete for Nigeria at the Paris Olympics. Both were trained by head coach Maurice Pierce while at Hampton.

Okezie will first take part in the mixed 4x400m relay (Aug. 2, 1:10 pm EST) while Edose Ibadin will kick off his first race in the 800m at 5:55 am EST on Aug. 7.

For the results, click this link here.

Okezie, a 2015 graduate, has qualified for Nigeria’s 4x400m relay team, along with the mixed 4x400m relay squad and the 400m individual event.
While at Hampton, he was an HBCU All-American sprinter and was awarded All-MEAC honors in indoor and outdoor track in the 200 and 400-meter dash along with the 4x400m relay.

Okezie also was part of the United States 4x400m relay team that won a gold medal at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona. He reached the finals of the 400m at the 2018 Commonwealth Games while also running the anchor leg of the 4x400m relay. At the 2018 African Championships, Okezie earned a bronze medal in the 400m. He also anchored the Nigerian 4x400m relay team which earned a bronze medal.

HBCU Paris Olympics Hampton University Chidi Okezie Edose Ibadin

Ibadin also graduated in 2015. He has qualified for the 800m.

As a Hampton University Pirate, Ibadin was named Second Team All-American in the 800m, and First and Second Team All-MEAC in HBCU track across the 800m and 4x400m.

He currently holds the Nigerian record in the 800m at 1:44.65. He helped Nigeria win the gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2023 African Games.

A full Paris Olympics schedule is listed here below (Times are subject to change)