The President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Ahmed Gumel on Sunday praised the athletes and officials who participated in the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, according to News Agency of Nigeria reported on Monday.

"I am proud of all the athletes, their supporting team officials and the secretariat staff for the working night and day to assist the team.

"I want to praise all the twenty four medalists from football, taekwondo and athletics for etching their names in the Olympic record book.

"The nation will eternally be grateful to you all for helping in your own little way at improving the image of our dear country, " he said.

Chika Chukwumerije defeated Uzbekistan's Akmal Irgashev in the bronze medal contest and won the medal in the men's +80 kg category in Beijing on Saturday.

It was Nigeria's third bronze medal at the Games. The football silver took Nigeria's total to four medals in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2008)