Reina-Flor Okori Makendengue (born 2 May 1980) is an Equatoguinean former track and field athlete who specialised in the 100 metres hurdles. She is a four-time Olympian with over 20 years on the track representing France and Equatorial Guinea. Using her sports legacy and African soul blueprint, she inspires and coaches international businesses, executives, and athletes to redefine the new psychology of winning and leading. In 2015 she took allegiance back to Equatorial Guinea, represented her country for the Olympic games of Rio 2016, and became a flag bearer.
Early life
Okori was born in Libreville, Gabon to Equatoguinean parents, exiles due to the political persecution during the dictatorship of Francisco Macías Nguema.[1]
At the 2008 Olympics, Okori reached the semi-finals of the 100 metres hurdles.[2] She repeated this feat at the 2012 Summer Olympics, but was disqualified in the semi-finals.[3] She was the flag bearer of Equatorial Guinea at the 2016 Olympics, where she was going to represent the African country before finally retiring from athletics.
Prize list
10 selections for French Elite Teams (as of 1/1/07)
French Champion 2004 at 100 m hurdles in 12.71 s (+2,1 m/s)
Okori's paternal grandfather was a Nigerian Igbo emigrant to the then Spanish Guinea. The rest of her grandparents were Equatoguinean Ndowé – her two grandmothers belonged to the Kombe tribe and her maternal grandfather belonged to the Bapuku tribe.[1]