The contest for most gold medals at the Paris Olympics ended in a tie between China and the United States. However, the USA topped the medals table with a whopping 126 overall, compared to 91 for China. While Nigeria failed to win a medal at the Olympics, three athletes and two footballers of Nigerian heritage won a medal for their adopted countries. John Enoh, minister of sports development, has described Team Nigeria’s performance at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France as a “disaster”.
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PUNCH analysis revealed that the top 10 countries amassed 40.11 per cent of the total medals at the games. The emergence of the youthful Chebet and Wanyonyi augurs well for continued Kenyan dominance in distance running. But there is a need to identify talent early, nurture it and fulfil its potential. This will mean exposing youngsters to specialised coaching, cutting edge training and access to international competitions.
Paris 2024: How Poor Budgeting Affected The Result Of Team Nigeria
The Nigerian senior female basketball team, D’Tigress, are going to the quarterfinals after beating their Canadian opponents by at the Olympic games. With female athletes excelling and making significant strides at the Olympics, it is evident that female sports, in general, are gaining more recognition, reaching new heights, and garnering more support. From the Olympics achieving gender parity to the growing audience for women’s sports, there is much to celebrate and explore.
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The scoring criteria include the difficulty of the maneuvers, the surfer’s speed, power, and flow, and the degree of risk taken. The competition progresses through elimination rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the finals, where the top surfers will compete for Olympic gold. Perhaps the only bright spot was Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress. Brume, a bronze medallist three years ago in Tokyo also failed to fulfill expectations, finishing fifth in the women’s long jump final.
Paris 2024 Olympics Update: Here are the African Women winning at the Olympics
The United States continued its tradition of Olympic dominance at the 2024 Paris Games, securing the top spot in the overall medal count. Team USA amassed an impressive total of 126 medals, including 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. This outstanding performance showcased the country’s robust sports infrastructure and development programs across a wide range of disciplines. In addition to the medals, which are unique to each Olympic Games, some winners will get additional awards from their home nations. Cash prizes, cows or even apartments are some of the rewards medal winners in some sports or from certain countries will enjoy.
- They upheld a legacy of Nigerian excellence on the global stage, even as they competed for countries other than Nigeria.
- “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.
- Meanwhile, as Nigeria reflects on its disappointing performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, there is hope that lessons can be learned for the future.
- Carini told reporters she had never experienced such hard punches in her career.
- Team Australia earned gold at the Paris Olympics in Swimming, Cycling, Canoeing, Men’s double tennis, Rowing, Skateboarding, Sailing and Pole Vaulting.
- The outcome stands in stark contrast to the achievements of athletes with Nigerian heritage competing for other nations.
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Founded on January 22, 1995, THISDAY is published by THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LTD., 35 Creek Road Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria with offices in 36 states of Nigeria , the Federal Capital Territory and around the world. The newspaper is a public trust dedicated to the pursuit of truth and reason covering a range of issues from breaking news to politics, business, the markets, the arts, sports and community to the crossroads of people and society. Ivorian track legend Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith was one of the biggest winners at the lucrative ATHLOS women-only track meet in New York. An unhealthy option by Michael Johnson given to some athletes that competed at the inaugural ATHLOS meet in New York didn’t sit well with ATHLOS founder Alexis Ohanian. Following the captivating viral moment between Rihanna and Rhasidat Adeleke, the Irish track star relived the moment meeting one of the most famous people in the world who’s a huge fan of her talent.
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Olympic champion Julien Alfred received a national honour rarely occupied by the world’s top athletes. Olympic bronze medallist and ATHLOS standout sprinter Brittany Brown wants Diamond League organisers to invest more in prize earnings for athletes. Junelle Bromfield has a message for Jamaicans’ poor reception to Kishane Thompson’s Olympic silver medal, instead chose to direct their frustrations on Noah Lyles.
Track
Carlos Yulo, 24, of the Philippines won two gold medals in men’s floor exercise and vault- the first also for his country. Sifan Hassan became the first athlete in 72 years to win medals in the women’s 5,000, 10, 000 and marathon races; a haul of gold and two bronze medals within the space of five days, with a total distance of 62,195 km covered. History was made in the women’s floor final with the first all-black gymnastics podium ever in the Olympics with Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade (gold), Simon Biles (silver) and Jordan Chiles (bronze). Chiles has reportedly been stripped of the bronze medal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and replaced with Romania’s Anna Barbosa who was upgraded from 4th to 3rd but she remains a most worthy Olympian. Letsile Tebogo of Botswana won Africa’s first ever 200m gold at the Olympics and was the anchor of Botswana’s 4 x 400 relay team which took silver. The Government of Botswana was so excited, the President declared a half-day public holiday in celebration On August 9.
Olympics: Team Nigeria good enough to win gold in Paris – Enoh
These achievements serve as motivation not just for the athletes but for their countries as well, inspiring a new generation of sports enthusiasts. South African athletes have showcased their versatility, competing strongly in various disciplines, reflecting the depth of talent across the nation. The achievements of these athletes underscore the need for investment in sports infrastructure and development programs in Nigeria. Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, also known as Chioma Ajunwa, is a Nigerian former track and field athlete and football player. The Saint Lucian hit second gear, powering through the finish line in a new National Record (NR) and Personal Best (PB) of 10.72s, winning her country’s first Olympic medal of any colour. Australia’s swimming prowess is evident with Mollie O’Callaghan claiming 3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, while Kaylee McKeown and Ariarne Titmus have both secured impressive medal hauls.
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As we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and beyond, the performances in Paris will undoubtedly influence national sports strategies and inspire the next generation of Olympic athletes around the world. The Olympic Games have long been a testament to human athletic prowess and national pride. The 2024 Paris Olympics were no exception, featuring intense competition, record-breaking performances, and inspiring displays of sportsmanship. As the world watched, certain countries rose to the forefront, dominating the medal tables and capturing the imagination of sports fans worldwide.
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.
The D’Tigress of Nigeria beat the Opals of Australia — ranked 3rd best in the world — 75-62, and Canada in women’s basketball at the Paris Olympics. Although they were knocked out after an loss to USA in the quarter-finals, the team had an undeniably fantastic run at the Olympics. D’Tigress were the first female basketball team in Africa to qualify for the Olympics, win a preliminary round and make it to the quarter-finals. “I didn’t expect that Nigeria would not win a medal in the Olympics,” Enoh Said. “I have sessions with the presidents of the sports federations because as the minister of sports development, I don’t direct the training of athletes or monitor them.
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Wanyonyi’s emergence shows that there is talent beyond and outside the Kalenjins and Athletics Kenya should invest in finding it. China and the United States competed for the top spot until the last day, when the US women’s basketball team narrowly beat France to win the final gold medal of Paris 2024. A question that is being stirred presently in the minds of Nigerians is “What is our next stage? ” The country’s last best performance and dominance could be said to be in 2015. The country’s strength in field and track events is domineering, especially in relay events, hence the reason the Ministry prepared for the athletes to participate in the World Relay events held in the Bahamas in May.
Women’s Football
As the 2024 Olympic Games continue, a group of exceptional athletes has emerged as the top medal winners so far, showcasing extraordinary performances across various disciplines. The Paris Olympics witnessed the participation of 10,714 athletes drawn from 216 countries, with a total of 1,436 medals won. While the 2028 LA Olympics will include new or returning sports like squash, cricket and flag football, hopes for Kenya outside track and field still rest in individual sports like boxing. Out of 203 countries and one Refugee Olympic Team competing, only 91 (44.8%) earned a medal. In total Africa won 39 medals, up from 37 in Tokyo but fewer than the 45 won in Rio and short of the target of 50 set by the African Union.
Notably, swimmers Torri Huske and Regan Smith won five medals each, the most of any US athlete. According to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), 65% of American winners were first-time medalists, and women earned 67 of the US’s medals this year. China’s success at the Paris Olympics is seen as a testament to the country’s investment in its sports programs and infrastructure. The Chinese Olympic Committee had set a target of gold medals for the Paris Games, and the team’s performance has exceeded expectations. The strong showing is also a boost for China’s national pride and morale, and is expected to inspire a new generation of Chinese athletes to strive for Olympic glory.
- Surfing at the Paris Olympics 2024 promises to be a spectacular event, combining the raw power of nature with the skill and athleticism of the world’s best surfers.
- In the Mixed Doubles, the Chinese duo of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha claimed gold, continuing China’s dominance in table tennis.
- 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.
- Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a remarkable Olympic debut on Sunday; she secured a spot in the 200m semi-final with a stellar performance, crossing the finish line in 22.24 seconds to claim the top spot.
- The Government of Botswana was so excited, the President declared a half-day public holiday in celebration On August 9.
- Although he scored only once during the tournament, in a 2-1 group stage loss to Egypt, his contributions were vital to Spain’s overall success.
Another medalist (silver) from Tokyo, Blessing Oborodudu came close to winning a medal but was hampered by injury. In a statement released on his official X page on Saturday, Sports Minister John Enoh described the team’s performance as disappointing and emphasised the need for reforms to enhance effective leadership in the sports sector. The ceremony wrapped up 17 days of exciting sports action set against famous Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Chateau de Versailles. “Also the issue of quality world-class sporting facilities has always been a challenge for the sports industry in Nigeria. That is why it is hard for Nigeria to get the right to host any big competition like AFCON, World Cup,” he further stated. “I doubt if Team Nigeria have been preparing for the last four years for this Paris Olympics because to only partake in 12 out of 32 sports events is not really good.
- The competition progresses through elimination rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the finals, where the top surfers will compete for Olympic gold.
- At the end of the games, however, and contrary to predictions, Nigeria was not among Africa’s “Top 10” finishers.
- Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, a Swede, did what he does best—breaking the Olympic record with a 6.10m jump to defend his gold medal and then raising the bar to 6.25m.
- China and the United States competed for the top spot until the last day, when the US women’s basketball team narrowly beat France to win the final gold medal of Paris 2024.
- Sifan Hassan became the first athlete in 72 years to win medals in the women’s 5,000, 10, 000 and marathon races; a haul of gold and two bronze medals within the space of five days, with a total distance of 62,195 km covered.
- French Swimmer Leon Marchand won 4 Gold Medals at the Paris Olympics, going a perfect 4-for-4 in his individual events.
- The two major sporting events just concluded were heavily financially involved but were also, properly managed.
Women’s tournament
“I congratulate the athletes who will represent Nigeria on the global stage and I wish them well. Speaking with DAILY POST, Isa Saleh, Co-founder of Borno Junior League, expressed his doubt that Team Nigeria will win many medals for the country. Enoh also promised that the Olympic Games allowances and winning bonuses will be given to ensure Nigerian athletes perform well. Italy came into the Olympics as the Volleyball Nations League champions and did not lose a match en route to gold, dropping one set in the pool stage and none in the knockouts. “I wanted share our big satisfaction, with results that reflect the structural strength of our nation,” sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera added. “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.
“These athletes pay nutritionists, coaches and do all other necessary things. There must be a proper plan and not the fire brigade approach we always adopt. “Aside from that, funds must be made available for the athletes and also the right facilities. For seasoned athletics reporter, Cece Omorogbe, the country would need to do more in the area of preparation and welfare. The Commonwealth and African champion, however, failed to make it to the final, finishing third in the semi-final.
Host nation China tied the U.S. in the number of gold medals, but trailed in the total medal count, with 15. The 2024 Paris Olympics recorded the first all-black medallists for a sport. Simone Biles of the USA, Rebecca Andrade from Brazil, and Jordan Chiles of the USA stood on the podium to accept the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals for women’s artistic gymnastics delivering exceptional performances in the floor exercise. Expectations are high in track and field with the biggest medal hopes being 100m hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan and long jumper Ese Brume, who won bronze medal at the last Tokyo Olympics. “That is why my determination is to see how, in this next Olympics, Nigeria records a gold medal.
Although he scored only once during the tournament, in a 2-1 group stage loss to Egypt, his contributions were vital to Spain’s overall success. Before May 2023, she had never thrown beyond 19 metres, and her trophy cabinet was empty of national, European, or world championship medals until February 2024. Yet, by the end of the year, she emerged as an Olympic champion, having also claimed two national championships, a bronze at the 2024 European Athletics Championships, and a silver at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.
The ceremony saw a magnificent display as thousands of athletes glided along the River Seine, passing vibrant performers on bridges, riverbanks, and rooftops. 11 athletes proposed, setting the record for the most marriage proposals at the Olympics. American swimmer Katie Ledecky, who at this year’s Olympics added four medals to her total of 14, became the most decorated female Olympian ever. Côte d’Ivoire, Cabo Verde and Zambia had one bronze medal each, and Nigeria and Ghana closed with no medals.
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. The performance set the stage for the evening’s most anticipated event when Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance. The gold medalist then passed the flag to Cruise, who rode away on a motorcycle as the Olympics transitioned to Los Angeles.
Leading the medals table is the United States with a total of 126 while China follows with 91. In the 2022 Winter Games, held in Beijing, the U.S. was third in both the gold-medal count and overall medals, with nine golds and 25 overall. Norway topped the count with 16 golds and 37 total medals, followed by Germany in both gold medals, with 12, and overall medals, with 27.
This marks a significant improvement from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where China won 38 gold medals and 82 total medals. The Chinese team’s strong performance was driven by dominance in sports such as table tennis, badminton, and diving, where they swept all the gold medals. Rowing, by gold medals (three), and cycling, by overall medals (11), were the most successful disciplines for Team GB in Paris. Great Britain won three medals in three events in triathlon, including one gold, and five medals, including two golds, from six equestrian events, with every member of the equestrian team, and all but one member of the triathlon team bringing home a medal. Those heaping the blame at the doorsteps of the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh must stop. The Minister has tried to exonerate himself, but one thinks this was not necessary.
After a quiet 2004 Olympics, Bolt shone brightly in 2008, setting a 100-meter world record of 9.72 seconds and securing three gold medals in Beijing. Traditionally known for its distance runners, the nation continues to uphold its strong Olympic https://big-bet.org/ legacy and remains a formidable competitor in various athletic events. That move has proved to be a smart one as Naser has continued to win medals for the oil-rich Kingdom, the latest being the 400m Silver medal at the 400m women’s event.
With the right investments in sports infrastructure, training, and athlete support, there is optimism that the nation can make a strong comeback and bring home medals. “Having said that, one of the doubts I have concerning Team Nigeria that could limit their chances of winning medals is due to the fact that they will only participate in 12 sporting events. Yemisi Ogunleye, a German shot putter with Nigerian roots, etched her name in Olympic history books by winning gold in the women’s shot put at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Ogunleye was born in Germany to a Nigerian father from Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti State. She broke the African record in her first trip to the country, gearing up to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has given assurance that Team Nigeria will come back from the Paris Olympics with gold medals and there’s hope that the games may go down as the best ever for the country in recent times. Athletes should not be expected to be perfect nor to continue to deliver at all times as age naturally takes a toll on them, and every man has his time and season. Stars are born from different locations and have their God-given time to excel in life. The two major sporting events just concluded were heavily financially involved but were also, properly managed.
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.
Collectively, these athletes won four medals, a tally nearly equalling Nigeria’s best Olympic performance. In the spirit of celebrating women at the Olympics, we’re spotlighting African women’s performances at the games. There are no plans to work with schools, clubs, communities, and several initiatives that can harness thousands of young Nigerians aspiring to be athletes across different sports.
Around 9,000 athletes danced and sang throughout the closing ceremony, which was described as a celebration of humanity and the unifying power of sport. Minister that he doggedly fought for the release of N12 billion that was appropriated to enable the Super Eagles’ participation at the AFCON Games. It could be rightly said that his major concentration during the AFCON fiesta, was to rejuvenate the dwindling interest of football fans to what it used to be, which cut across all strata of the nation, state governments and Presidency not being left out. “Also, the sporting events Team Nigeria will participate in, I am not satisfied with the preparation prior to the Paris Olympics. “If you look at that number, it is not even up to half of the total number of 32 sports events that will take place in Paris.