The Nigerian football team that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics is often hailed as one of the greatest African football teams of all time. As a scholar of east African sport, I have followed Kenya’s performance at the Olympics for decades. While there is much to be celebrated in 2024, there are also clear signs of what the country must focus on if it wants to remain dominant at the next games. So here is a list of what’s going right, what’s going wrong and what needs attention. Kenya topped Africa’s medal tally at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as the east African country did at the last two games in 2020 and 2016. Kenya is a dominant force particularly because of the success of its middle-distance and long-distance runners.

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• Medals solely should not be the sole barometer for measuring sporting success.
• Richardson edged out teammate Melissa Jefferson in the last couple of meters to win Silver in 10.87s, while Jefferson claimed Bronze in 10.92s.
• “Nigerians should ensure they support these athletes in every way when the Games starts.
• His contributions on the field were instrumental in helping France reach the final, and his performance throughout the tournament demonstrated his talent and potential.
• “I wanted share our big satisfaction, with results that reflect the structural strength of our nation,” sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera added.
• For the Paris Olympics, nuggets have been banned, and athletes will instead be catered to by top Michelin-starred chefs who will accommodate special requests.
• Besides, the coach, the 32-year-old charismatic Rena Wakama, was honoured as the Best Female Basketball Coach at the Paris 2024 Olympics tournament.

The end of the Games also mark a new beginning even where the officials were re-elected. They would be the top group for 2028, but already part of the Olympic team for 2032 and beyond. New Zealand’s Maddison-Lee Wesche took silver with a throw of 19.86m, while China’s Song Jiayuan claimed bronze with a distance of 19.32m. Olympic champion Noah Lyles opened up on the motivating factor behind his Paris Olympic success, which solely boiled down to stopping Jamaican dominance. Saint Lucia’s golden girl Julien Alfred had one of the greatest rookie year in history after sweeping all titles available in the 2024 season.

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And, as Wanyonyi demonstrates, the talent search should be cast beyond the traditional geographical and cultural catchment areas. Athlete Sifan Hassan was praised after wearing a hijab to accept her gold medal for a record-breaking marathon, defying the ban. Kaylia Nemour from Algeria made history https://big-bet.org/ as the first debut African gymnast to claim an Olympic medal by winning the gold in the even bars category. “We did everything as a Ministry to prepare the athletes adequately and provide them with every financial support but unfortunately the performance did not produce any podium finish.

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“I am aware that the Sports Federations Elections in Nigeria are even tougher than our National Elections, we must set our standards to scrutinize what motivates those vying to run the federations and get only the best hands. In a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, the minister also promised to address the issues leading to the nation’s failure in France. Nigeria’s Weightlifters at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games will begin the chase for medals on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, when Lawal files out in the Women’s 59kg weight class at the South Paris Arena inside Paris Expo Complex. President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has targeted five medals, but would not give their colours. But the Sports Minister Enoh is now exonerating himself of any blame for Nigeria’s woeful outing, saying he was directly involved in the execution of team Nigeria’s participation at the Games. Enoh also stated that preparations have already started for the next All Africa Games in Egypt with the ministry sole intention to displace North African as the perennial winner of the game.

• With the ghost of the 2012 London Olympics, where Nigeria failed to win any medal staring the nation in Paris, the anger, complaints, and negative exertions of people was understandable.
• Nigeria has abundance of talents and everything it takes to be a key player on the global stage.
• This saw a series of online bullying and transgender accusations against Iman.
• Japan’s outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics built upon the momentum generated from hosting the 2020 Tokyo Games.
• With 16 golds, France also beat their tally from Atlanta 1996 (15), and their 64 medals overall easily eclipsed their Beijing 2008 tally of 43.
• Global superstar Celine Dion made an inspirational and emotional comeback during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, following a lengthy battle with stiff person syndrome.

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The tiny Caribbean-island of St. Lucia, and her home town of Ciceron broke out in joyous ecstasy. Adriana Ruano, 29, won the first ever gold medal in the shooting women’s trap final for Guatemala. Kaylia Nemour, 17, made history for her country, Algeria and for Africa by being the first from the continent to win a medal in gymnastics.

• Her impressive throw of 20.00m secured a historic victory, marking Germany’s first win in the event since Astrid Kumbernuss in 1996.
• Respected sports journalist, Dr. Mumini Alao believes that, “Nigerian sports is grossly underfunded which is a reflection of our poor economy.
• Those heaping the blame at the doorsteps of the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh must stop.
• She broke the African record in her first trip to the country, gearing up to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• So far, the Ministry is desiring success with great expectations in other sporting events with training in the academic areas, proper placement of professional staff and restructuring of all areas.
• “Let’s unite in support of our athletes as they embark on this remarkable journey.
• “This result is an exceptional result,” Claude Onesta, High Performance Manager at the French National Sports Agency, told a news conference on Sunday as France finished fifth in the medals table.

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• In contrast to Nigeria’s uninspiring performance, several athletes of Nigerian descent stood out while representing other countries.
• Through D’Tigress, Nigeria emerged as the first African basketball team, male or female to get to the Quarter finals at the Olympics.
• Samu Omorodion was part of the Spanish football team that won gold in the men’s category.
• It’s quite uncharitable in my opinion to tag Team Nigeria to the Paris 2024 Olympics as failures.
• In the Mixed Doubles, the Chinese duo of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha claimed gold, continuing China’s dominance in table tennis.
• This streak was maintained in Paris when Rosalind Canter, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen won gold in the Equestrian Team eventing competition on Day three of the Games.

Novak Djokovic, won the men’s tennis singles final, a gold medal at last at the Olympics, practically fulfilling a dream. Simon Biles who had to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, due to a condition called “twisties” made a remarkable comeback, to win three gold medals and a silver in gymnastics and in the process, became the most decorated gymnast in American history. Suni Lee, a former Olympic all-round champion and US gymnast was diagnosed with an incurable kidney disease in 2023. In Paris, she won gold at the all-round team finals, a bronze in uneven bars and yet another bronze at the all-round competition. Julien Alfred, 23, won the women’s 100 m race to claim St. Lucia’s first Olympics medal.

Athletics

Respected sports journalist, Dr. Mumini Alao believes that, “Nigerian sports is grossly underfunded which is a reflection of our poor economy. Since 1968, a Kalenjin male runner has won gold for Kenya at every Olympics. Instead, Emmanuel Wanyonyi from the Bukusu sub-ethnic group of the Luhya (traditionally better known for producing football, rugby, basketball and volleyball players) emerged as the sole Kenyan men’s gold medallist. The 20-year-old won the 800 metres, maintaining the country’s stranglehold on that event ever since the 2008 games.

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Her perseverance paid off in Paris, where she secured a historic silver medal. While her achievement is undoubtedly a cause for celebration, it also serves as a stark reminder of the missed opportunities for Nigeria due to administrative shortcomings. Echikunwoke’s story highlights the complexities faced by athletes with dual citizenship and the crucial role of national sports federations in supporting their athletes. From Africa, Kenya made the continent proud, winning 4 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals to place 17th. Dark horse Botswana shocked the Olympics family when its relatively unknown runner, Letsile Tebego (21), clinched the gold medal in the men’s 200m race and triggered off a public holiday back home with heavy cash rewards and two houses as gifts to boot.

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• The allegations were quickly debunked by the International Olympic Committee, emphasising that Iman was born a woman; the disinformation was soon traced back to Russian sources.
• There, the U.S. narrowly edged out China for most gold medals, 39 to 38, but remained comfortably ahead in overall medals, with American athletes taking home 113 medals to second-place China’s 89.
• Biles took to the platform at the Stade de France to join Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass while musician H.E.R. performed the American national anthem.
• She is also the first female coach of an African team to record a win at the Olympics.
• The 2020 Olympic Games, held in Tokyo in 2021 after a COVID-related delay, were a much more sober affair than most Games due to to the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Honorable Minister being a witness to the two major events in sports, must be reevaluating and sharpening his plans, along with his formidable managers to x-ray the important areas that need priority in sporting events.
• The ensuing games had everyone on the edge of their seats, unveiling a tapestry of unforgettable victories and unexpected turns that captivated audiences worldwide.
• Phelps, who was acknowledged as the greatest athlete in the 21st century by ESPN, began his Olympic journey at the 2000 Sydney Games and competed in five Olympics.
• “That is why my determination is to see how, in this next Olympics, Nigeria records a gold medal.

Japan’s outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics built upon the momentum generated from hosting the 2020 Tokyo Games. Japan has made significant strides at the 2024 Paris Olympics, achieving unprecedented success in various sports. The country won 20 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze medals, finishing behind only the United States and China on the medal table. Japan’s wrestling team was a major contributor to this success, winning a total of eight gold medals, including four in the men’s Greco-Roman events. Additionally, Japan excelled in artistic gymnastics, fencing, and skateboarding, with Shinnosuke Oka becoming the fourth straight all-around winner in men’s artistic gymnastics.

Women’s Football

Nigeria went to Paris 2024 with 88 athletes and took part in 12 sporting events. “This call for reform aims to enhance the leadership and effectiveness of Nigeria’s sports federations, paving the way for improved performance on the global stage. Blessing Oborududu gave a good account of herself in the wrestling category. Medals solely should not be the sole barometer for measuring sporting success. It’s quite uncharitable in my opinion to tag Team Nigeria to the Paris 2024 Olympics as failures. Nigerians wanted more from their flagbearers at the quadrennial event, but unfortunately, our best was not good enough.

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Most Nigeria’s foreign-based athletes engage in part-time jobs abroad which hamper their development and performance. Much was expected from the likes of Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, Blessing Oborodudu and other top athletes but the country returned home without a single medal. Nigeria’s high-rated athlete and world record holder, Tobi Amusan on Friday failed to qualify for the final of the 100m hurdles event in the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Spain have continued their extraordinary run of success on the international stage by beating hosts France 5-3 to claim gold at the Olympics. He was a member of the Nigerian team that won the silver medal in the 4 x 400 meters relay at the 2000 Olympics. In 2012, the medals were reallocated after the USA team was stripped of the gold medal, making Monye and other Nigerian runners the gold medallists.

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In long jump, Ese Brume and two others qualified for finals, first time by any African country. Despite not winning medals, some athletes ranked among the best in the world. As the host nation of the 2024 Olympics, France delivered a spectacular performance that captivated the home crowd and exceeded expectations. The French team secured fifth place in the overall medal table with a total of 64 medals, comprising 16 gold, 26 silver, and 22 bronze. This marked France’s best Olympic performance in recent history and showcased the country’s strength across a wide range of sports.

Competitions from 2024 to 2032 would be diarised and aligned to the programmes of the various federations, and budgeted right to the very base of the programmes for different competitions and qualifiers that lead to different engagements. They would audit their post-Olympic assets – athletes, officials, partners, governance issues, and resolve them. Deficits in all areas would be treated and the areas of strengths are enhanced.

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Money for sustainable preparation for our athletes, officials, coaches, doctors, masseuses, psychologists, and other managers will be billions of Naira that the National Lottery Commission, partners, and sponsors will provide. There is no structure today for such robust attention to sports management and development. Maybe a look at the management structure of the Ministry will show how unsuitable it is for sports development and management. At best, he is a sports enthusiast who has been thrown to the vortex of sports management. Moses Ugbisien, winner of a 4x400m bronze medal in athletics, 40 years ago at the Los Angeles Olympics, called thrice recently.

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And while some athletes will set world records in Paris, those can be set at other international competitions. Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred delivered a brilliant performance to win the women’s 100 metre gold medal with a national record timing of 10.72 seconds, beating USA’s world champion Sha’Carri Richardson into silver. The Honorable Minister being a witness to the two major events in sports, must be reevaluating and sharpening his plans, along with his formidable managers to x-ray the important areas that need priority in sporting events. With the sensitivity of the Department and daily supervision of the athletes’ anti-doping records, it will be necessary and needful to equip the Department with more computer gadgets to upload and save data for reference purposes. The Paris 2024 Olympics has come and gone and the Nigerian contingent returned without nicking any medal.