Karimu Babalola OLOWU

One of Nigeria’s pioneer athletes, Karim Olowu took up track and field as a schoolboy and made his international debut at the 1950 British Empire Games, where he came in sixth in the long jump and was eliminated in the semifinals of the 100 yards event. His next stop was the 1952 Summer Olympics, where he failed to advance beyond the opening rounds of both the long jump and the 100 metres competition, but made it to the semifinals of the 4x100 metres relay, alongside Titus Erinle, Rafiu Oluwa, and Muslim Arogundade. He had his greatest achievements at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, where he took silver in the long jump and the 4x110 yards relay (with Arogundade, Edward Ajado, and Abdul Karim Amu).

Olowu was less success in future competitions, coming in fifth in the long jump at the 1956 Summer Olympics and 14th in the same event at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Following his retirement from active competition, he had a lengthy career as a sports administrator, serving in several capacities, including as the manager of the Nigerian team at the 1976 Summer Olympics. In addition to the many awards he has received for his work in promoting sport in Nigeria, he is also honored with an honor given out in his name, the K.A.B. Olowu Awards, granted to the three best long jumpers in Nigeria’s Lagos State.

Personal Bests: 100 – unknown; LJ – 7.54 (1956).