Special report:   2008 Olympic Games 

    LAGOS, July 7 (Xinhua)-- The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Amos Adamu, is optimistic that the nation will make an impact at the forthcoming Olympic Games holding in Beijing, reported the Lagos based Punch newspaper on Monday.

    Adamu said the NSC had intensified efforts on the medals prospect areas to enable the country to record good results.

    According to him, it was wrong to underrate the athletes for any reason at any competition.

    "Nobody gave Chioma Ajunwa a chance at the Atlanta Olympic Games but she won gold for Nigeria and you cannot rule out such a remarkable feat until after the competition," he said.

    "There are events we are approaching with the aim of getting results. Our lifters, boxers and wrestlers are in good shape for the games," he added.

    "We also have some talented athletes who can challenge other top athletes in the world. "Our athletes are aware of the challenges ahead in a competition of this magnitude and they know only their best will be good enough," he said.

    Adamu said he was impressed with the exploits of the athletes at the just concluded Mobil Track and Field Championships, which served as the Olympic trials.

    "There were upsets here and there at the trials and this means the athletes are ready for Beijing," he said.