As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics approach, Nigeria is poised to make a significant impact in various events.
The country’s athletes have been training tirelessly to bring home medals and improve on their performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
At the last Olympics, Team Nigeria won two medals, with Blessing Oborodudu clinching a Silver medal in wrestling and Ese Brume winning Bronze in long jump. Although this was Nigeria’s best show since 1996, ranking 74th overall and 8th in Africa, the country is eager to do even better in Paris.
Nigeria has won a total of 27 medals in previous Olympics, mostly in athletics and boxing.
This year, Nigeria has a strong contingent of athletes competing in various events, including badminton, boxing, cycling, table tennis, football, weightlifting, athletics, basketball, canoeing, taekwondo, and wrestling. Medal hopes are high in events like athletics, boxing, and wrestling, where Nigerian athletes have consistently shown promise.
The athletics team, comprising 26 athletes, will compete in the mixed 4x400m, women’s 4x100m, and men’s 4x400m events. The boxing team, featuring Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Dolapo Omole, and Olaitan Olaore, is determined to bring home medals in their respective categories.
In badminton, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, a two-time African Games Champion and four-time African Senior Champion, is poised to make a strong showing. Meanwhile, the boxing team, comprising Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Dolapo Omole, and Olaitan Olaore, is determined to bring home medals in their respective categories.
Nigeria’s cycling team will be represented by Ese Ukpeseraye in the women’s road race, while Quadri Aruna and three other athletes will compete in the table tennis event. The Super Falcons, Nigeria’s female football team, will face stiff competition in the women’s Olympic football tournament.
Weightlifting will see two Nigerian athletes vying for medals and The D’Tigress, Nigeria’s female basketball team, will compete in the 5×5 basketball event.
Canoeing will feature Beauty Otudeo and Ayomide Bello in the women’s C2 500m event, while Elizabeth Anyanacho will represent Nigeria in taekwondo. Five female wrestlers will also compete for medals in their respective categories.
With a strong performance at the recent Commonwealth Games, Team Nigeria’s chances at the Olympics look promising. The country’s athletes have been training intensively, and their preparations are expected to pay off in Paris.
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024. Nigerians are eagerly anticipating the games, hoping to see their athletes make a significant impact on the global stage and bring home a haul of medals.
Will Team Nigeria surpass their previous performance and make history at the Paris 2024 Olympics? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the country’s athletes are ready to give it their all and make Nigeria proud.
