On the Paris 2024 Olympics, a number of athletes of Nigerian descent made important contributions whereas representing different nations.
These athletes, although born or related to Nigeria, selected to compete underneath the flags of nations equivalent to Germany, Bahrain, america, France, Nice Britain and Spain.
Their performances not solely earned them particular person glory but additionally highlighted the varied and world nature of expertise originating from Nigeria.
From profitable gold in shot put to securing silver within the 400m and hammer throw, and males’s soccer these athletes demonstrated distinctive ability and dedication on the world stage, persevering with the legacy of Nigerian excellence in worldwide sports activities.
Nigeria went ‘medal-less’
In the meantime, 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 occasions.
Regardless of having a powerful roster of athletes, the closest Nigeria got here to profitable 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 finest Olympic efficiency, which occurred on the Atlanta 1996 Video games, the place the nation gained six medals, together with gold in males’s soccer and girls’s lengthy leap.
Then again, the 2024 outing might be thought of amongst Nigeria’s worst, paralleling the 2012 London Olympics, the place the nation additionally did not win any medals, underscoring the continuing challenges in Nigeria’s sports activities improvement and worldwide competitors efficiency
The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded on August 11, 2024, with america 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. Different standout nations included Australia, Nice Britain, and the Netherlands, all of which positioned within the prime ten.
N9bn finances
Sports activities improvement minister, Senator John Owan-Enoh, stated that President Bola Tinubu authorized over N12bn for Workforce 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.
Right 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):
Occasion: Ladies’s Shot Put
Medal: Gold
Yemisi Ogunleye, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, made historical past by profitable the gold medal within the ladies’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):
Occasion: Ladies’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 subject, including to her assortment of worldwide medals.
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Annette Echikunwoke (USA):
Occasion: Ladies’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 america. Her efficiency on the Paris 2024 Olympics added to her rising status in subject occasions.
Occasion: Males’s Soccer
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 workforce gained the silver medal, with Olise’s contributions being essential to their success.
Occasion: Males’s Soccer
Medal: Gold
Samu Omorodion, who represented Spain, gained a gold medal in males’s soccer on the Paris 2024 Olympics. Though he’s nonetheless eligible to symbolize Nigeria, Omorodion has been making his mark with Spain.
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Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France):
Occasion: Males’s Volleyball
Medal: Gold
Chinenyeze is a French volleyball participant who gained prominence by main the French nationwide workforce 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 (Nice Britain):
Occasion: 4x400m Relay
Medal: Bronze
Victoria Ohuruogu, representing Nice Britain, gained a bronze medal within the ladies’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):
Occasion: Males’s Basketball
Medal: Gold
Femi Bam Adebayo, usually referred to easily as Bam Adebayo, performed a vital position within the USA males’s basketball workforce profitable the gold medal on the Paris 2024 Olympics. Born to a Nigerian father, Adebayo is a distinguished NBA participant identified for his defensive prowess and flexibility on the court docket.
Paralympics – Nigeria’s hope?
PUNCH On-line experiences that the subsequent Summer time Olympics will likely 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 may be hope that the nation could make a powerful comeback and produce residence medals.
In the meantime, consideration will quickly shift to the Paralympic Video games, the place Nigeria has historically excelled, significantly in powerlifting and athletics.
Expectations are excessive for the nation’s Paralympians to proceed their success and produce delight 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 purpose for a extra profitable consequence in Los Angeles 2028.
Because the nation prepares for the Paralympics and future competitions, there may be optimism that, with the best methods, Nigeria will as soon as once more shine on the world stage.