At the Paris 2024 Olympics, a number of athletes of Nigerian descent made important contributions whereas representing different nations.
These athletes, although born or linked to Nigeria, selected to compete below the flags of nations reminiscent of Germany, Bahrain, the United States, France, Great Britain and Spain.
Their performances not solely earned them particular person glory but in addition highlighted the varied and world nature of expertise originating from Nigeria.
From successful gold in shot put to securing silver within the 400m and hammer throw, and males’s soccer these athletes demonstrated distinctive ability and willpower on the world stage, persevering with the legacy of Nigerian excellence in worldwide sports activities.
Nigeria went ‘medal-less’
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s contingent left the event with out securing a single medal, marking it one of many nation’s most disappointing Olympic outings in latest instances.
Despite having a powerful roster of athletes, the closest Nigeria got here to successful a medal was in athletics, the place a couple of athletes made it to the finals however failed to complete on the rostrum.
This consequence contrasts sharply with Nigeria’s greatest Olympic efficiency, which occurred on the Atlanta 1996 Games, the place the nation gained six medals, together with gold in males’s soccer and girls’s lengthy soar.
On the opposite hand, the 2024 outing could possibly be thought-about amongst Nigeria’s worst, paralleling the 2012 London Olympics, the place the nation additionally did not win any medals, underscoring the continued challenges in Nigeria’s sports activities improvement and worldwide competitors efficiency
The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded on August 11, 2024, with the United States main the medal desk with 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze). China adopted intently with 91 medals, and Japan rounded out the highest three with 45 medals.
Notably, the host nation, France, completed fifth with 64 medals. Other standout nations included Australia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, all of which positioned within the prime ten.
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N9bn price range
Sports improvement minister, Senator John Owan-Enoh, mentioned that President Bola Tinubu permitted over N12bn for Team Nigeria’s preparation and participation on the forthcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, France. This comes with N9bn for Olympics and N3bn for Paralympics.
Here’s an summary of eight athletes of Nigerian descent who gained medals representing different nations on the Paris 2024 Olympics:
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Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany):
Event: Women’s Shot Put
Medal: Gold
Yemisi Ogunleye, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, made historical past by successful the gold medal within the girls’s shot put on the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory marked Germany’s first gold within the occasion since 1996.
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Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain):
Event: Women’s 400m
Medal: Silver
Salwa Eid Naser, initially born as Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Nigeria, claimed the silver medal within the 400m for Bahrain. Naser, who switched allegiance to Bahrain in 2014, continues to be a dominant pressure in monitor and discipline, including to her assortment of worldwide medals.
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Annette Echikunwoke (USA):
Event: Women’s Hammer Throw
Medal: Silver
Annette Echikunwoke, who was born in Ohio to Nigerian dad and mom, gained a silver medal within the hammer throw for the United States. Her efficiency on the Paris 2024 Olympics added to her rising repute in discipline occasions.
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Michael Olise (France):
Event: Men’s Football
Medal: Silver
Michael Olise, born to a Nigerian father, was a key participant for France within the males’s soccer competitors on the Paris 2024 Olympics. The staff gained the silver medal, with Olise’s contributions being essential to their success.
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Samu Omorodion (Spain):
Event: Men’s Football
Medal: Gold
Samu Omorodion, who represented Spain, gained a gold medal in males’s soccer on the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although he’s nonetheless eligible to characterize Nigeria, Omorodion has been making his mark with Spain.
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Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France):
Event: Men’s Volleyball
Medal: Gold
Chinenyeze is a French volleyball participant who gained prominence by main the French nationwide staff to a gold medal in males’s volleyball. His excellent efficiency has established him as a key participant within the sport.
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Victoria Ohuruogu (Great Britain):
Event: 4x400m Relay
Medal: Bronze
Victoria Ohuruogu, representing Great Britain, gained a bronze medal within the girls’s 4x400m relay on the Paris 2024 Olympics. She is the youthful sister of Christine Ohuruogu, a former Olympic gold medalist, and has adopted in her footsteps by contributing to Britain’s success within the relay.
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Femi “Bam” Adebayo (USA):
Event: Men’s Basketball
Medal: Gold
Femi Bam Adebayo, typically referred to easily as Bam Adebayo, performed an important position within the USA males’s basketball staff successful the gold medal on the Paris 2024 Olympics. Born to a Nigerian father, Adebayo is a distinguished NBA participant recognized for his defensive prowess and flexibility on the courtroom.
Paralympics – Nigeria’s hope?
PUNCH Online studies that the subsequent Summer Olympics will probably be held in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028, providing Nigeria one other alternative to enhance on its efficiency and regain its standing on the worldwide sports activities stage.
With the best investments in sports activities infrastructure, coaching, and athlete assist, there’s hope that the nation could make a powerful comeback and convey residence medals.
Meanwhile, consideration will quickly shift to the Paralympic Games, the place Nigeria has historically excelled, notably in powerlifting and athletics.
Expectations are excessive for the nation’s Paralympians to proceed their success and convey satisfaction to the nation.
In conclusion, whereas the Paris 2024 Olympics was a difficult outing for Nigeria, the long run holds alternatives for redemption.
By studying from the experiences of Paris and specializing in areas for enchancment, Nigeria can intention for a extra profitable final result in Los Angeles 2028.
As the nation prepares for the Paralympics and future competitions, there’s optimism that, with the best methods, Nigeria will as soon as once more shine on the world stage.