By Ben EFE
Regina George is no stranger to controversies. She was involved in two separate high profile misdemeanor cases, but Nigeria’s brightest prospect in the women 400m has said that she has erased those memories and is now ready to give her running career a lift.

Regina George

The University of Arkansas psychology undergraduate is seen by Nigerian track officials as the next big act in the women 400m. She demonstrated it when she defeated African and world champion, Amantle Montsho at the 2012 African Championships. She led the women 4x400m to the final of the London 2012 Olympics. It was her first time out with the Nigerian team.

But George’s profile dimmed when she was arrested by the police in Arkansas, who alleged that the athlete abused alcohol intake

However, bouncing with enthusiasm here in Calabar where the All Nigeria/Cross River Championships is taking place, George insisted that she has put the incident was well behind her

“Those were just misunderstandings. I have sorted everything out and now it is time to focus on the track,” said George, born of a Nigeria father and American mother, who coincidentally were both athletes.

She stated that her major aim was to run better times, after going under 50 seconds during her lap in 4x400m contest at the 2013 Penn Relays. George did a 49.55 seconds run.

“It was good to have gone that fast and I am looking forward to doing it again in a normal race. I am hoping on myself just like the country is hoping on me,” said the 22-year-old athlete.

African record holder, Falilat Ogunkoya backed George as the woman to break her 49.10 seconds run set at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

“She is a good runner. Having gone under 50 seconds at the Penn Relays is an indication that she has something to offer. She needs to keep a level head and train very hard. She can be a world champion. Indeed we want to see a return of those days, when Nigerian women dominated Africa and did well at the world level.”