Reports that history maker Chierika ‘Coco’ Ukogu clinched the women’s single silver medal in rowing at the ongoing Rio Olympic Games in Brazil are untrue but that has not in any way dampened her joy.

Upon cross checking the reports, News Express found that the self-sponsored Chierika finished second in the semi-final of the Women’s Single Scull event on Friday and not in the final.

“Finished 20th overall at the Olympic Games with a time of 7:44, 10 seconds faster than my PR from quarterfinals!” Chierika herself tweeted on Saturday, August 13.

She had tweeted the previous day: “I surpassed my sponsorship goals.”

Chierika, who was born on October 2, 1992 in the United States, is a professional rower.

She tweeted about her Rio odyssey: “I am honoured to have the chance to represent Nigeria in the 2016 Olympic Games. I have always felt strong ties to Nigeria as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. In 2007, I founded a non-profit organisation called Flip Flops for Africa and donated 10,000 pairs of flip flops to Nigerians in need. I hope that my athletic endeavours will inspire other Nigerians to take up rowing and experience the same joy I feel every time I’m on the water.”

•Photo shows Chierika Ukogu representing Nigeria in the women’s single rowing event of the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.