Fatimat Yusuf-Olukoju: Carrying a Baton of Love
2/5/2025 11:21:00 AM | General, Track and Field
Read how a former Olympian and current student-athlete mother wanted to help her daughter’s team to live up to its potential
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Fatimat Yusuf-Olukoju has come a long way to find success and happiness at UC Riverside. Â
"Growing up was not that easy, coming from a very poor family background," Yusuf-Olukoju said. "Track was my way out of poverty. One thing about track for me was to develop love for it. Once I had that love, doing the work became easier."Â
That love and work led her to be a small fish in a big pond, where she ran at the junior level among senior competitors. Â
Then she finished third. Â
A lightbulb flickered in her head when she realized she could take her talents a step further, and soon, those talents went a lot further than she thought. Â
In her 12-year career, Yusuf-Olukoju won two gold medals at the All-Africa Games, three medals at the African Championships and a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Â
A decorated athlete of Yusuf-Olukoju's stature could have coached anywhere, but the driving force behind picking UCR was Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Nate Browne. Â
"He's been doing an amazing job here at UC Riverside," she said. "He and I competed at the intercollegiate level. I followed him and knew of his work ethic. He's taken his time to build this program."Â
As an athlete, Yusuf-Olukoju has made it a point to give back. She's proud to call California home and give back to the Riverside community, living just a few miles from campus. She owns Village Coach Fitness in Riverside and is an International Sports Science Association Certified Personal Trainer.Â
Her proudest philanthropic effort, though, remains within the UC Riverside family. Â
"Seeing my children follow in my footsteps is an honor," said Yusuf-Olukoju, whose son (David) and daughter (Raykiyat) compete for UCR. But David and Raykiyat are just two examples of the student-athletes Yusuf-Olukoju looks to inspire. Â
Through all her experience and wisdom, she boils track & field down to life's highs and lows. Â
"Track & field is up and down. You win some, you lose some. At the end of the day...have a mindset that tomorrow's going to be a great day."Â
Watch Coach Fatimat's full interview below.Â
From humble beginnings in Nigeria to Olympic glory and now shaping champions at @UCR_trackfield. Coach Fatimat Yusuf-Olukoju's journey inspires us all. 🌍🏅💙💛 #NGWSD #GoHighlanders pic.twitter.com/U6LJApRyX1
— Highlander Athletics (@UCR_Athletics) February 5, 2025
