Although these individuals were either born in Nigeria or have ties to the country, they opted to compete under the banners of nations such as Germany, Bahrain, the United States, France, Great Britain, and Spain.
Their achievements not only brought them personal accolades but also underscored the rich and diverse talent that Nigeria contributes to the global sports arena.
From clinching gold in shot put to earning silver in the 400m, hammer throw, and men's football, these athletes exhibited remarkable skill and resolve on the international stage, thereby perpetuating the tradition of Nigerian excellence in sports.
Nigeria went ‘medal-less’
Nigeria's delegation departed from the tournament without achieving any medals, marking this as one of the nation's most disappointing Olympic performances in recent history.
Despite a robust lineup of athletes, the closest Nigeria came to securing a medal was in athletics, where several competitors reached the finals but ultimately did not secure a podium finish.
This outcome stands in stark contrast to Nigeria's most successful Olympic performance, which took place at the Atlanta 1996 Games, where the country earned six medals, including gold in men's football and women's long jump.
Conversely, the 2024 Olympics may be regarded as one of Nigeria's poorest showings, reminiscent of the 2012 London Olympics, during which the nation also failed to win any medals, highlighting the persistent challenges facing Nigeria's sports development and international competitive performance.
The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded on August 11, 2024, with the United States topping the medal table with a total of 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze). China followed closely behind with 91 medals, while Japan secured third place with 45 medals.
Notably, the host nation, France, finished fifth with 64 medals, and other prominent nations included Australia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, all of which ranked within the top ten.
N9bn budget
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh, announced that President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned more than N12 billion for Team Nigeria's training and involvement in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. This allocation includes N9 billion designated for the Olympics and N3 billion for the Paralympics.
Below are an overview of eight athletes of Nigerian heritage who secured medals while representing other countries at the Paris 2024 Olympics is provided.
Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany):
Event: Women’s Shot Put
Medal: Gold
Yemisi Ogunleye, who was born in Germany to a Nigerian father, achieved a historic milestone by securing the gold medal in the women’s shot put at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This triumph represented Germany's first gold medal in this event since 1996.
Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain):
Event: Women’s 400m
Medal: Silver
Salwa Eid Naser, who was originally named Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Nigeria, secured the silver medal in the 400m event representing Bahrain. Having changed her allegiance to Bahrain in 2014, Naser remains a formidable competitor in track and field, further enhancing her tally of international medals.
Annette Echikunwoke (USA):
Event: Women’s Hammer Throw
Medal: Silver
Annette Echikunwoke, a native of Ohio with Nigerian heritage, secured a silver medal in the hammer throw representing the United States. Her outstanding performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics further enhanced her esteemed reputation in the realm of field events.
Michael Olise (France):
Event: Men’s Football
Medal: Silver
Michael Olise, the son of a Nigerian father, played a pivotal role for France in the men's football event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The team secured the silver medal, with Olise's contributions proving essential to their achievement
Samu Omorodion (Spain):
Event: Men’s Football
Medal: Gold
Samu Omorodion, competing for Spain, secured a gold medal in men's football at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite still being eligible to represent Nigeria, Omorodion has been establishing a significant presence with the Spanish national team.
Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France):
Event: Men’s Volleyball
Medal: Gold
Chinenyeze is a distinguished French volleyball athlete who rose to fame by guiding the French national team to victory, securing a gold medal in men's volleyball. His exceptional skills and contributions have solidified his status as an essential player in the sport.
Victoria Ohuruogu (Great Britain):
Event: 4x400m Relay
Medal: Bronze
Victoria Ohuruogu, competing for Great Britain, secured a bronze medal in the women's 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She is the younger sibling of Christine Ohuruogu, a previous Olympic gold medalist, and has emulated her sister's achievements by playing a significant role in Britain's relay success.
Femi “Bam” Adebayo (USA):
Event: Men’s Basketball
Medal: Gold
Femi Bam Adebayo, commonly known as Bam Adebayo, was instrumental in the USA men's basketball team's achievement of securing the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With a Nigerian father, Adebayo has established himself as a notable NBA player, recognized for his exceptional defensive skills and adaptability on the basketball court.
Paralympics – Nigeria’s hope?
The upcoming Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028, presenting Nigeria with a valuable opportunity to enhance its performance and restore its reputation in the international sports arena.
With appropriate investments in sports facilities, athlete training, and support systems, there is optimism that the nation can achieve a significant resurgence and secure medals. Concurrently, focus will soon transition to the Paralympic Games, where Nigeria has historically performed well, especially in powerlifting and athletics.
There are high expectations for the country's Paralympians to maintain their success and instill national pride. In summary, although the Paris 2024 Olympics posed challenges for Nigeria, the future offers prospects for redemption.
By reflecting on the lessons learned from Paris and concentrating on areas needing improvement, Nigeria can strive for a more favorable outcome in Los Angeles 2028.
As the nation gears up for the Paralympics and other forthcoming competitions, there is a sense of hope that, with effective strategies, Nigeria will once again excel on the global stage.