Why is a Sprinter Discounting Experiences of National Record Holders?

"Athletics: Why is a 10.92secs 100m Sprinter Discounting Experiences of National Record Holders?"

In what can only be described as bizarre, the credibility of 3 of the 4 fastest Ghanaians ever to run the 100m are being questioned by an athlete whose best ever time over the same distance is 10.92 secs. Basically the athlete, called Kwaku Nimako, does not even feature in the top 60 all-time ranking in the 100m among Ghanaians: http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/ghana/kwaku-nimako-224856#personal-bests

Many perplexed observers are wondering how and why someone like Kwaku Nimako, without the necessary sporting credentials will question the experiences of some of Ghana's finest, both current and past. The answer is simple. Nimako has been hired as the campaign manager for George Lutterodt, former Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) President who wants to return to the helm of GAA.

What seems to have set Nimako off was when current (2014) national javelin record holder, John Ampomah, voiced his displeasure at Nimako's utterances demeaning the achievements of current athletes some of whom won medals at the 2014 African Championships saying "Athletics is Dead".

Nimako and George Lutterodt's exaggeration about the state of Ghana Athletics between 2001 and 2004 has also prompted real powerhouses like Leo Myles-Mills (9.98 secs), Eric Nkansah (10.00secs) and Christian Nsiah (10.19 secs) and triple jumper Andrew Owusu to go on record detailing the reality back then.

These fine former athletes have also publicly endorsed Prof. Francis Dodoo for the Presidency of Ghana Athletics Association (GAA). In their opinion, despite challenges, they believe the Prof. Dodoo led executive board is delivering given the recent spike in new national records and credible performances over the last 2 years.

The four athletes competed under Nimako's boss, George Lutterodt. Their refuting of Lutterodt's exaggerations of history seems to have struck a nerve. Specifically, Lutterodt claiming credit for Ghana's 2003 All-African Games medal haul.

What seems to surprise the athletes is the fact that publicly available records indicate GAA, under Nimako's boss, did absolutely nothing to help these athletes prepare for the 2003 All-African Games.

Indeed, the athletes remember having to prepare in Germany with their own funds and resorting, at times, to using water bottles to practice relay hand-offs.

To make matters worse, then GAA President George Lutterodt kicked Leo Myles-Mills off the 2003 Abjua squad. Leo was reinstated after the athletes threatened to boycott the Games and sort resolution through the National Sports Authority. Leo went on to win a bronze medal in the 100m and remarkably anchored the 4X100m relay to a gold medal.

One would think since Nsiah, Nkansah and Myles-Mills were three of the four runners on the 2003 relay squad their input will carry more weight when describing how they managed to be successful despite the odds. Instead, Nimako will like to rewrite history for these athletes; a version of history where he [Lutterodt] comes out the hero.

If Nimako and his boss have evidence of GAA lifting a finger in 2003 to help these athletes succeed, they should produce it.

By the way, Nimako is on record referring to himself as a former national champion in the 100m. With all due respect, Ghana even at its worse has always had an abundance of decent sprinters. When in our history did a 10.9s secs sprinter become a national champion?

Of even greater concern is how Nimako, despite his slow time, got on a national team as he has also been claiming? This raises questions about selection criteria in previous times. Is that where they intend to take Ghana Athletics?