At the just concluded Paris 2024 Olympics, several athletes of Nigerian descent made remarkable impact while representing other nations.
These athletes, though born or connected to Nigeria, decided to represent and compete under the flags of countries such as United State, France, Spain, Germany, Bahrain,and Great Britain.
Their performances not only earned them individual glory but also highlighted the diverse and global nature of talent originating from Nigeria.
From winning gold in shot put to securing silver in the 400m and hammer throw, and men’s football these athletes demonstrated exceptional skill and determination on the world stage, continuing the legacy of Nigerian excellence in international sports.
Nigeria went ‘medal-less’
It was one of Nigeria’s most disappointing Olympic performance in recent times as the country’s contingent exited the event without winning a single medal.
Nigeria’s athletes are strong, but their greatest opportunity of winning with a medal was in athletics, where a few got the finals but were unable to get on the podium.
This outcome is in stark contrast to Nigeria’s greatest Olympic performance, which took place at the Atlanta 1996 Games and yielded six medals, including the gold in the women’s long jump and men’s football.
Nevertheless, the 2024 event would be considered among Nigeria’s worst, replicating the country’s poor performance at the London Olympics in 2012, where Nigeria also failed to bring home any medals, indicating the continuing challenges facing Nigeria’s sports development and
Nigeria Government spent 12 billion Paris 2024 Olympic.
Meanwhile,Senator John Owan-Enoh, the sports development minister has said the federal government approved over N12 billion for the Paris 2024 and paraolympic
He said this is one of Nigeria’s most disappointing Olympic performance in recent times as the country’s contingent exited the event without winning a single medal.
Nigeria’s athletes are strong, but their greatest opportunity of winning with a medal was in athletics, where a few got to the finals but were unable to get on the podium.
This outcome is in stark contrast to Nigeria’s greatest Olympic performance, which took place at the Atlanta 1996 Games and yielded six medals, including the gold in the women’s long jump and men’s football.
Nevertheless, the 2024 event would be considered among Nigeria’s worst, replicating the country’s poor performance at the London Olympics in 2012, where Nigeria also failed to bring home any medals, indicating the continuing challenges facing Nigeria’s sports development .
Here’s an overview of eight athletes of Nigerian descent who won medals representing other nations at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
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Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany):
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Women’s Shot Put
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Medal: Gold
Yemisi Ogunleye, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s shot put at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory marked Germany’s first gold in the event since 1996.
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Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain):
Event: Women’s 400m
Medal: Silver
Salwa Eid Naser, originally born as Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Nigeria, claimed the silver medal in the 400m for Bahrain. Naser, who switched allegiance to Bahrain in 2014, continues to be a dominant force in track and field, adding to her collection of international medals.
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Femi “Bam” Adebayo (USA):
Event: Men’s Basketball
Medal: Gold
Femi Bam Adebayo, often referred to simply as Bam Adebayo, played a crucial role in the USA men’s basketball team winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Born to a Nigerian father, Adebayo is a prominent NBA player known for his defensive prowess and versatility on the court.
Paralympics – Nigeria’s hope?
PUNCH Online reports that the next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028, offering Nigeria another opportunity to improve on its performance and regain its standing on the global sports stage.
With the right investments in sports infrastructure, training, and athlete support, there is hope that the nation can make a strong comeback and bring home medals.
Meanwhile, attention will soon shift to the Paralympic Games, where Nigeria has traditionally excelled, particularly in powerlifting and athletics.
Expectations are high for the country’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 of Paris and focusing on areas for improvement, Nigeria can aim for a more successful outcome in Los Angeles 2028.
As the country prepares for the Paralympics and future competitions, there is optimism that, with the right strategies,
