Nigerian sprinter Divine Oduduru opened up about the turbulent period of his career, revealing that his former agent, Paul Doyle played a significant role in derailing his rise to prominence on the international athletics scene.
Oduduru, who once set a blistering pace as one of Nigeria’s most promising athletes, was widely regarded as a future star in the 100m and 200m races.
His performances at the 2019 World Championships and his successes at the NCAA had many believing that a new sprinter was emerging to challenge the established order.
However, despite his potential, his career trajectory took an unexpected nosedive.
He was banned for six-years for his alleged role in a case first pursued by U.S. authorities under a law designed to combat widespread doping schemes across the globe.
The Athletics Integrity Unit, which oversees doping cases in track and field, said a disciplinary panel had found the sprinter guilty of possession and use or attempted use of multiple prohibited substances in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The ban for Oduduru runs till February 2029.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Lapalabras Media, on Facebook Oduduru said the mismanagement of his career by his agent; Paul led to numerous missed opportunities.
“The truth is, my career was sabotaged by someone I trusted,” Oduduru began, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and regret.
“In the beginning, I thought I had found someone who believed in me and had the right connections.
“But as time went on, it became clear that he was more interested in his own gains than in my future. He made decisions without consulting me, signed contracts without my consent, and didn’t handle crucial sponsorship deals properly.”
One of the most damaging aspects of Oduduru’s agent’s influence was his failure to negotiate sponsorship deals that would have provided financial stability and professional growth.
As a result, the young sprinter found himself without the necessary resources to properly train, compete, or recover between events.
“I was running empty for a while,” Oduduru continued.
“I had the talent, I had the drive, but the support I needed just wasn’t there. While my peers were getting the best coaching, gear, and support, I was struggling. It was frustrating because I knew I had the ability to compete at the highest level, but the opportunities weren’t materialising.”
As his career began to falter, Oduduru tried to communicate his concerns to his agent, but found himself up against a wall of evasiveness and dishonesty.
“He would tell me everything was fine, that everything was in order. But when I looked at my career, the results didn’t match what I was being told. It was a constant battle, and in the end, I was the one left paying the price.”
Oduduru’s frustration reached its peak when his agent’s neglect led to him missing several key races, including top-tier Diamond League events.
“Those races could have made all the difference,” he admitted.
“Had I competed in those, I believe my career would have taken off in a different direction. But instead, I was stuck in a cycle of disappointment and miscommunication.”
Despite the setbacks, Oduduru remains determined to reclaim his place in the sport.
“I’ve learned a lot from that experience. Now I’m focused on the future, and I’m making sure I’m surrounded by people who actually have my best interests at heart,” he said with conviction. “I’m not letting anyone stand in my way anymore.”
“My journey isn’t over,” Oduduru concluded. “I know what I’m capable of, and I’m ready to show the world that I’m not done yet.”
