At the Paris 2024 Olympics, several athletes of Nigerian descent made significant contributions while representing other nations.

These athletes, though born or connected to Nigeria, chose to compete under the flags of countries such as Germany, Bahrain, the United States, France, Great Britain and Spain.

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’

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s contingent left the tournament without securing a single medal, marking it one of the country’s most disappointing Olympic outings in recent times.

Despite having a strong roster of athletes, the closest Nigeria came to winning a medal was in athletics, where a few athletes made it to the finals but failed to finish on the podium.

This result contrasts sharply with Nigeria’s best Olympic performance, which occurred at the Atlanta 1996 Games, where the nation won six medals, including gold in men’s football and women’s long jump.

On the other hand, the 2024 outing could be considered among Nigeria’s worst, paralleling the 2012 London Olympics, where the country also failed to win any medals, underscoring the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s sports development and international competition performance.

The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded on August 11, 2024, with the United States leading the medal table with 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze). China followed closely with 91 medals, and Japan rounded out the top three with 45 medals.

Notably, the host nation, France, finished fifth with 64 medals. Other standout nations included Australia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, all of which placed in the top ten.

N9bn budget

Sports development minister, Senator John Owan-Enoh, said that President Bola Tinubu approved over N12bn for Team Nigeria’s preparation and participation at the forthcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, France. This comes with N9bn for Olympics and N3bn for Paralympics.

Here’s an overview of eight athletes of Nigerian descent who won medals representing other nations at the Paris 2024 Olympics:

Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany):

Event: Women’s Shot Put
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.

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.

Annette Echikunwoke (USA):

Event: Women’s Hammer Throw
Medal: Silver
Annette Echikunwoke, who was born in Ohio to Nigerian parents, won a silver medal in the hammer throw for the United States. Her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics added to her growing reputation in field events.

Michael Olise (France):

Event: Men’s Football
Medal: Silver
Michael Olise, born to a Nigerian father, was a key player for France in the men’s football competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The team won the silver medal, with Olise’s contributions being crucial to their success​.

Samu Omorodion (Spain):

Event: Men’s Football
Medal: Gold
Samu Omorodion, who represented Spain, won a gold medal in men’s football at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although he is still eligible to represent Nigeria, Omorodion has been making his mark with Spain​.

Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France):

Event: Men’s Volleyball
Medal: Gold
Chinenyeze is a French volleyball player who gained prominence by leading the French national team to a gold medal in men’s volleyball. His outstanding performance has established him as a key player in the sport.

Victoria Ohuruogu (Great Britain):

Event: 4x400m Relay
Medal: Bronze
Victoria Ohuruogu, representing Great Britain, won a bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She is the younger sister of Christine Ohuruogu, a former Olympic gold medalist, and has followed in her footsteps by contributing to Britain’s success in the relay.

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?

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, Nigeria will once again shine on the world stage.8