Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour made history by winning gold in the women’s uneven bars final at Paris 2024, becoming the first African to secure an Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics.
The 17-year-old delivered a stunning performance, scoring 15.700 and surpassing her qualification score. Her flawless routine featured complex release-and-catch maneuvers, earning high praise from the judges.
“I’m so shocked; it’s the dream of my life. I can’t believe it has happened; I’m speechless,” Nemour expressed. Her victory marks Algeria’s sixth Olympic gold since their debut in Tokyo 1964, with the last gold being won by Taoufik Makhloufi in the men’s 1500m at London 2012.
-Nemour was born in Saint-Benoit-la-Foret, France, she previously made history by winning a silver medal at the world championships in Antwerp, the first for an African gymnast. At the Bercy Arena, she edged out China’s Qiu Qiyuan, the reigning world champion, who scored 15.500, and American Sunisa Lee, who took bronze.
“In qualifying, I had 15.600,” Nemour said. “When I saw her (Qiu’s) 15.500, I really had to fight and gave the performance of my life. It’s crazy, I’m honored to have this medal after all that has happened; it’s a relief.”
Nemour chose to represent Algeria, her father’s birthplace, after a dispute with France’s gymnastics federation over her return from a knee injury. Defending Olympic champion Nina Derwael of Belgium finished fourth.
