Divine Oduduru, the Nigerian sprint star, has opened up about the struggles and mistreatment he endured under controversial American coach Rana Reider at the Tumbleweed Track Club in Jacksonville, Florida. The 28-year-old sprinter, who was banned for six years in October 2023 due to two doping violations, has remained silent for a long time but has now chosen to share his experience as part of his journey to reveal the truth.
Oduduru, who made his mark as a world junior silver medalist, turned professional in 2019 and signed with Puma. However, his decision to join Puma led him to train under Reider, a coach he was initially reluctant to work with. Despite his reservations, Oduduru was persuaded by his agent to join Reider’s camp, where he hoped to develop further as an athlete. However, upon arriving at the training camp, Oduduru quickly realized that he was not in a safe or supportive environment.
He revealed that the coach did not treat him the same way as his other athletes, including Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse. While De Grasse and other favored athletes were given attention and proper training, Oduduru was subjected to grueling workouts that were more suited for middle and long-distance runners, rather than sprinters. He was often excluded from the normal training routines, which led him to confront Reider about the unfair treatment. However, when Oduduru spoke up, he was dismissed and sent away from practice.
Oduduru’s frustrations deepened when he realized that his cries for help fell on deaf ears. His agent, Paul Doha, was informed of the difficulties Oduduru was facing, but it seemed that nothing changed. The sprinter noted that Reider would prioritize his favorite athletes for treatment, leaving others, including Oduduru, to fend for themselves. This included athletes like Trayvon Bromell and other Jamaican sprinters, who, despite their complaints, were also sidelined.
The mistreatment escalated to a point where Reider allegedly made death threats against Oduduru. The Nigerian sprinter recalled an incident where the coach threatened to stab and kill him, with no consequences. Oduduru felt that Reider took advantage of his vulnerability, knowing that no one would question his authority. The coach’s behavior made Oduduru’s time at the camp unbearable, and he became increasingly frustrated with the lack of support and fairness.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Oduduru’s situation worsened. He was informed that only Andre De Grasse was being trained for a gold medal, while he was left to train without proper guidance. De Grasse went on to win the gold medal in the 200m, while Oduduru failed to make the final, finishing third in the semifinal. He was also disqualified from the 100m race. This experience further highlighted the disparity in treatment between Oduduru and the coach’s favorite athletes.
Despite the challenges, Oduduru has chosen to speak out about his time under Reider’s coaching, hoping to shed light on the toxic environment he endured. His decision to share his story marks the beginning of his journey to reclaim his voice and move forward in his career.
