As Nigerians pray for a good outing of the country’s contingent to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the technical director to the Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali, says he will not categorically say what colour of medal his wrestlers would win at the Games.

In an exclusive interview with Sporting Champion, Igali who won an Olympic gold while representing his adopted country Canada, at Sydney 2000, said he would have made that projection if he had a wrestler who won even bronze at the World Championship.

"If I had an athlete that won bronze at the last World Championship, I would say he could win a medal at the Olympics. I liken it to the relay where you have those in the front; those are the ones that win gold medals. Then, you have those in the middle pack chasing the rest and anybody who breaks out, could meet them in front and that is where we are. We don’t have anybody in the top ten."

Igali, however, promised that he would work hard to get his wards to hit that desired position where they could compete with those in the top ten.

He argued that apart from the first three medals to be won, there are other placements like the fourth to the eight positions which are also rankings in the Olympics.

On the level of preparation for the Olympics, the former World record holder said it has been very conducive. According to him, the National Sports Commission has done well to provide a very conducive camp that every athlete is happy to associate with.

Igali disclosed that he would need to give his athletes some kind of trials as a way of knowing their level of readiness for the task ahead.