WINDSOR, England (AP) — “You can do it,” roared the announcer at Dorney Lake. Some of the crowd were on their feet, urging him on to the line.
No, this wasn’t a British rower sprinting for gold. This was Hamadou Djibo Issaka, crawling to the finishing hooter in last place in a single sculls repechage.
It wasn’t quite “Eric the Eel” of Sydney Games fame — but it wasn’t far off.
Djibo Issaka, a 35-year-old Nigerien, only learnt how to row three months ago but was given a wildcard to the London Olympics “to strengthen the principle of universal representation.”
With a less-than-impressive technique and with the tank almost empty, he slumped over as he crossed almost the line Sunday in 8 minutes 39.66 seconds — nearly 1.40 minutes behind the race winner.
