An Olympic gold medallist is to stand as a Labour councillor in the upcoming elections.

Father-of-four Fidelis Gadzama, 33, who lives in Alexandra Square, Morden, was part of the men's 4x400 relay team for Nigeria which came second to the USA at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The US team was later stripped of their gold medals after Antonio Pettigrew admitted using performance enhancing drugs in 2008.

Last summer, Mr Gadzama travelled to Abuja, Nigeria's capital, to receive his gold medal, 13 years after the team's winning race.

Since those games in Sydney, Mr Gadzama worked his way up in African athletics before leaving for the UK in 2007 to join the British Navy where he helped with the fitness training regime for navy personnel.

An old injury made a reappearance four years later and he was forced to step down from the Navy on medical grounds in 2011.

Mr Gadzama said: "I was really pleased when Labour selected me to fight the local elections for Labour in Cannon Hill.

"As a parent, I can see that Labour is doing a good job for local residents.

"I’ve got four children, and Labour’s schools expansion programme has meant more parents can get their kids into good schools in the borough."

Merton Council leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: "I am delighted that we have attracted a local role model like Fidelis to the Labour team. He is a winner at the highest level and I am very pleased to welcome him.

"Like all our candidates he has shown the dedication and commitment it takes to keep Merton at the top of the medal table."

Council elections take place across London's 32 boroughs, including in Merton, on Thursday, May 22.

 

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