The just concluded 2024 Paris Olympics in France saw some athletes of Nigerian descent win medals for their respective countries.
The countries represented were Germany, Bahrain, the United States, France, Great Britain, and Spain. These athletes, though birth or connected to Nigeria, chose to compete under different flags, showcasing their exceptional talents on the global stage.
Their achievements ranged from winning medals in sports such as shot put, 400metres, hammer throw and Men’s football. Their successes not only brought individual glory but also highlighted the global influence of Nigerian talent in international sports.
Nigeria’s Medal Drought
It would be recalled that Team Nigeria left the Paris 2024 Olympics without securing a single medal, marking one of the country’s most disappointing performances. Despite a roster filled with promising athletes, the closest Nigeria came to winning a medal was in athletics, where a few competitors reached the finals but did not make it to the podium. This result contrasts with Nigeria’s best Olympic performance at the Atlanta 1996 Games, where the nation won six medals, including gold in men’s football and women’s long jump.
The 2024 outing echoes the disappointment of the 2012 London Olympics, where Nigeria also failed to win any medals. This highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s sports development and its ability to compete at the highest levels internationally.
Paris 2024 Recap
The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded on Sunday, August 11th, 2024, with the United States leading the medal table with 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze). China came second with 91 medals, and Japan rounded out the top three with 45 medals. Host nation, France finished fifth with 64 medals, while other standout nations included Australia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, all finishing in the top ten.
African Countries that won Medals
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, only 12 African nations managed to secure positions on the medals table.
Kenya led the African contingent with a commendable performance, earning four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals for a total of 11, placing them 17th overall.
Other African countries that made it to the medals table include:
- Algeria: Finished joint 39th with two gold and one bronze, totaling three medals.
- South Africa: Secured joint 44th place with six medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze).
- Ethiopia: Ranked 47th with a total of four medals (1 gold, 3 silver).
- Egypt and Tunisia: Both placed joint 52nd with three medals each, comprising one gold, one silver, and one bronze.
- Botswana and Uganda: Also joint 55th, each with two medals (1 gold, 1 silver).
- Morocco: Achieved 60th place with one gold and one bronze for a total of two medals.
- Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, and Zambia: All finished in 84th place with one bronze each.
Notably, Nigeria did not make the medals table at the 2024 Games, which featured 205 participating countries.
Nigerian-Descent Medalists
Here’s a look at eight athletes of Nigerian descent who won medals representing other nations at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
1.Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany)
Event: Women’s Shot Put
Medal: Gold
Note: Born in Germany to a Nigerian father, Ogunleye made history by winning gold in the women’s shot put, marking Germany’s first gold in the event since 1996.
2. Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain)
- Event: Women’s 400m
- Medal: Silver
- Note: Originally born as Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Nigeria, Naser claimed silver in the 400m for Bahrain, adding to her impressive international track record.
3. Annette Echikunwoke (USA)
- Event: Women’s Hammer Throw
- Medal: Silver
- Note: Born in Ohio to Nigerian parents, Echikunwoke won silver in the hammer throw, enhancing her reputation in field events. She previously represented Nigeria in 2020.
4. Michael Olise (France)
- Event: Men’s Football
- Medal: Silver
- Note: Born to a Nigerian father, Olise played a key role for France, helping the team secure silver in men’s football.
5. Samu Omorodion (Spain)
- Event: Men’s Football
- Medal: Gold
- Note: Representing Spain, Omorodion won gold in men’s football and remains eligible to represent Nigeria in the future.
6.Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France)
- Event: Men’s Volleyball
- Medal: Gold
- Note: Chinenyeze led the French volleyball team to a gold medal, establishing himself as a key player in the sport.
7. Victoria Ohuruogu (Great Britain)
- Event: 4x400m Relay
- Medal: Bronze
- Note: The younger sister of Olympic gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu, Victoria contributed to Great Britain’s success in the 4x400m relay.
8.Femi “Bam” Adebayo (USA)
- Event: Men’s Basketball
- Medal: Gold
- Note: Bam Adebayo, born to a Nigerian father, played a crucial role in the USA men’s basketball team’s gold medal victory.
9. Yemi Mary John (Great Britain)
- Event: Women
- Medal: Bronze
- Note: Yemi Mary John represented Great Britain in the 4X400 meters relay that won the Bronze Medal. She has a Nigerian Father and an Italian Mother.
10. Ezi Magbegor (Australia)
- Event: Women’s basketball
- Medal: Bronze
- Note: Ezi was born to Nigerian Parents in New Zealand. They moved to Australia when she was six. She was one of Australia’s best player at the Olympics where they faced Nigeria, Canada and the USA in the group stage.
Looking Ahead to the Paralympics
With the Paris 2024 Olympics behind them, Nigeria now looks toward the Paralympic Games, where the country has traditionally excelled, particularly in powerlifting and athletics. Expectations are high for Nigeria’s Paralympians to continue their success and bring pride to the nation.
In conclusion, while the Paris 2024 Olympics was a challenging outing for Nigeria, the future holds opportunities for redemption. By learning from the experiences in Paris and focusing on areas for improvement, Nigeria can aim for a more successful outcome in Los Angeles 2028. With the right strategies and investments, the nation can once again shine on the world stage.
