Imagine running towards your dreams with impeccable speed and a determination that is hard to find elsewhere. This was the case of a budding Nigerian quarter-miler who had just opened his NCAA season with a stunning 45.61s at the Stan Scott Invite in January 2025, launching himself to fourth on Nigeria’s all-time list. But just as the celebrations began, and what he must have felt was the beginning of ever-greater track glory, Edidiong Okon Udo was perhaps hit by the biggest heartbreak of all time: his mother had passed away. To make it worse, 6 days later, his father passed away too. The track and field prodigy would want to rush to them, but even that was about to be more difficult than he thought. But what stopped him?

Now thousands of miles away from Nigeria, Udo is stranded in the very country where he made his name. A foreign land that gave him a future in sport has become the place he’s forced to grieve, unable to return home to lay his parents to rest. One side of Eddie just wants to run a professional track and compete at the Diamond League, but losing his parents means the track and field prodigy is going to miss them cheering on for him. Thankfully, amid turbulent times, he has friends who have his back and are going the extra mile for him.

The story struck a chord far beyond the collegiate track circuit. Just days after the devastating news surfaced, World Athletics took to X to amplify Eddie’s situation: “Go fund me for Ohio State track freshman and Nigerian sprinter Edidiong (Eddie) Udo. Both his parents sadly passed away in February, and Eddie is stuck thousands of miles away from home.” The rest of the message spoke volumes without needing to say much—it revealed that the fundraiser wasn’t started by Eddie himself but by his teammates, a gesture that showed just how they care and how urgently help is needed. A call for the world to see past the lanes and into the reality of a young man running through unimaginable grief.

Eddie isn’t just grieving. He’s leading. As the oldest of three children, the responsibility of planning and funding his parents’ burial has landed on his shoulders. And while he tries to hold it all together, track and field athlete’s Ohio State teammates have stepped up in a way that’s nothing short of beautiful. “He’s a great teammate, good student, and friend,” was shared on the GoFundMe page. “But unfortunately, while managing the unthinkable in his first year away from home, he needs our added support.”

Still, Eddie’s humility stands tall. Known for being grateful and reserved, he likely would’ve never asked for help himself. But NCAA restrictions on international student aid have made the situation even harder. So his teammates are doing the asking for him. “No amount is too small,” they wrote. “And we know he’ll be beyond appreciative.” It’s a community standing in the gap for a runner who gave them everything he had on the track with his performance on the tracks.

The Nigerian Track and Field prodigy shines on U.S. soil

Edidiong Udo led the collegiate track ranks until heartbreak interfered after his first and only track appearance for Ohio State. Before his second competition as an Ohio State sprinter, the freshman took the big stage with a groundbreaking result. He made history. Udo achieved a new meet record and won the event at the Rod McCravy Memorial by finishing the men’s 600m in a remarkable 1:16.77. Prior to his heartbreak, Udo achieved the fourth-best time run ever by an Ohio State athlete behind Andrew Pierce and beyond those who previously set Buckeye sprint records. The achievement brought him recognition as the Big Ten Male Freshman of the Week. This title represents both a story of victory and a tragic pain.

At the same time, Udo’s name gained recognition in NCAA athletics, and other Nigerian runners established themselves across the United States. Ezekiel Nathaniel achieved a powerful 45.56-second time during the DeLoss Dodds Invitational in Manhattan. Just two-hundredths shy of his lifetime best. The racer secured the title of fastest Nigerian athlete this season after beating all competition by a complete two-second margin. The headlines followed Tima Godbless closely after the success of other Nigerian athletes in track and field athletics. The Razorback Invitational became her breakthrough event because she won the 200m race with an indoor PB of 23.52s and placed third in the 60m dash.

The track results represent much more than simple, quantifiable results. Eddie Udo continues to be a member of the thriving Nigerian track movement during his personal struggles.