At the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, there were champions—but none quite like the mother and daughter duo who turned heads and lifted medals for Lagos State. In this exclusive interview, Ronke Olarinoye, a seasoned weightlifter, and her 13-year-old daughter Florence Olarinoye speak to Sports247 about what it means to share the podium, the platform, and a passion for weightlifting.
Sports247: Ronke, when you saw Florence step onto the platform beside you, what went through your mind?
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Ronke Olarinoye: “I almost cried. Not from nerves—but from pride. I saw myself in her, but stronger. For years, I’ve carried the weight of competition alone. Now, I carry it with my daughter beside me. That’s not just a moment… that’s history.”
Sports247: Florence, you’re just 13, yet you’re already competing—and winning—at the national level. What drives you?
Florence Olarinoye: “My mum. Every lift I make, I think of her. I remember how she trains, how she talks to me when I’m nervous. I want to be like her, and maybe even better. I don’t see the weight—I see her courage.”
Sports247: Ronke, did you expect Florence to get this far so quickly?
Ronke Olarinoye: “She’s always been strong. But medals weren’t the goal—we just wanted her to build discipline and self-belief. That she’s medaling now? That’s just a reward for the values we’ve built at home.”
Sports247: Florence, what’s the hardest part about being coached by your mum?
Florence Olarinoye: (laughs) “She doesn’t go easy on me! Even when I win, she’ll say ‘Your form was off’ or ‘You could’ve lifted cleaner.’ But that’s love. She wants me to grow, not just win.”
Sports247: What message do you both have for other families, especially mothers and daughters watching your story?
Ronke: “Support each other. Find something you love and build it together. It doesn’t have to be sports—but let it be something that challenges you both.”
Florence: “Don’t wait till you’re ‘ready.’ I was scared at first, but I had her. That made me brave. Your family can be your strength, not your pressure.”
A Legacy in Motion
As Lagos celebrates its medal haul, it’s the story behind the weights that carries the most power. Ronke and Florence Olarinoye are more than champions—they are symbols of love, mentorship, and the unshakable force of shared dreams.
Follow Sports247. ng for more inspiring stories behind Nigeria’s rising stars.
