Who are the eight Nigerian-born athletes that won medals for other countries in Paris?
The Paris 2024 Olympics have highlighted the diverse global talent with Nigerian roots, as several athletes of Nigerian descent secured medals representing other nations. Despite their individual successes, Nigeria’s own contingent finished without a medal, marking one of the country’s less successful Olympic outings.
Notable Achievements by Athletes of Nigerian Descent:
- Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany)
- Event: Women’s Shot Put
- Medal: Gold
- Born in Germany to a Nigerian father, Ogunleye made history by winning Germany’s first gold in the event since 1996.
- Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain)
- Event: Women’s 400m
- Medal: Silver
- Originally Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu from Nigeria, Naser earned silver for Bahrain, continuing her successful track record in international competitions.
- Annette Echikunwoke (USA)
- Event: Women’s Hammer Throw
- Medal: Silver
- Born in Ohio to Nigerian parents, Echikunwoke added a silver medal to her impressive career in field events.
- Michael Olise (France)
- Event: Men’s Football
- Medal: Silver
- Olise, with a Nigerian father, played a key role in France’s silver medal-winning men’s football team.
- Samu Omorodion (Spain)
- Event: Men’s Football
- Medal: Gold
- Omorodion, eligible to represent Nigeria but competing for Spain, contributed to Spain’s gold medal victory in men’s football.
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Barthelemy Chinenyeze
- Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France)
- Event: Men’s Volleyball
- Medal: Gold
- Chinenyeze led France to a gold medal in men’s volleyball, establishing himself as a key player.
- Victoria Ohuruogu (Great Britain)
- Event: 4x400m Relay
- Medal: Bronze
- Representing Great Britain, Ohuruogu won bronze in the women’s 4x400m relay, continuing the legacy of her sister, Christine Ohuruogu.
- Femi “Bam” Adebayo (USA)
- Event: Men’s Basketball
- Medal: Gold
- Adebayo played a crucial role in the USA’s gold medal-winning men’s basketball team, showcasing his defensive skills and versatility.
Nigeria’s Performance:
Nigeria’s team faced disappointment in Paris, leaving without securing a medal. Despite a strong roster and a promising start, the closest they came to winning a medal was in athletics, where several athletes reached the finals but did not finish on the podium. This result contrasts sharply with Nigeria’s best Olympic performance, such as the 1996 Atlanta Games, and parallels the 2012 London Olympics, highlighting ongoing challenges in the country’s sports development.
In preparation for future competitions, including the 2024 Paralympics, Nigeria’s government has allocated over N12 billion for sports development, with N9 billion dedicated to the Olympics and N3 billion for the Paralympics. This investment aims to address the challenges faced and improve the country’s performance on the global stage.
Overall Medal Table:
- United States: 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, 42 bronze)
- China: 91 medals
- Japan: 45 medals
- France: 64 medals (host nation)
