It was indeed a tournament to forget for Nigeria after ending the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ‘medal-less’ but some athletes of Nigerian origin shone for their respective nationalities.
Nigeria took 88 athletes to the French capital for the Games but they failed to impress in their events.
Athletes like Tobi Amusan, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, Quadri Aruna, Blessing Oborududu and Ese Brume failed to meet expectations as they did not make a statement in Paris despite dominating Africa.
Afrosport takes a look at athletes who could have represented Nigeria and won medals for other countries at the 2024 Olympics
Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany -Gold)
The 25-year-old born to a Nigerian father and German mother in the German town of Germersheim, won gold in the women’s shot-put.
Ogunleye improved on the silver medal she took at the World Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this year with a final throw of 20.00 metres in the dramatic women’s final in Paris on Friday.
Yemisi Ogunleye sings a Yoruba gospel song after winning gold for Germany at the Olympics. 🇩🇪 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/rYdLsb0s1l
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) August 10, 2024
Paola Egonu (Italy -Gold)
Born to Nigerian parents in Italy, Egonu has been playing volleyball for the Italian women’s national team since 2015.
After serving as Italy’s flagbearer at the Tokyo 2020 Games, the 25-year-old played a laudable role in helping Italy win their first-ever gold medal in the women’s volleyball event.
Egonu was also named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in Paris as they were unbeaten in six games.
Bam Adebayo (USA – Gold)
Adebayo was born to Nigerian father and an African-American mum in New Jersey.
On Saturday, he secured his second Olympic gold medal with the United States’ Men Basketball Team after defeating France in the men’s final.
Adebayo played six games in France, averaging 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and he converted three of his nine 3-point attempts.
Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France – Gold)
Chinenyeze was born to Nigerian parents in France and he claimed his second Olympic gold medal with the French national volleyball team on Saturday.
The 26-year-old plays as a middle blocker and featured in all six matches for France.
Samu Omorodion (Spain – Gold)
The Atletico Madrid striker was a member of the Spanish team that won gold in the men’s football in Paris.
The 20-year-old was born to Nigerian parents in the Spanish city of Melilla and he made four appearances for Spain in the men’s football event with a goal to his name.
Annette Echikunwoke (USA – Silver)
Echikunwoke formerly represented Nigeria in the women’s hammer throw event but she was frustrated to turn to United States of America after her disqualification at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to Nigeria’s negligence.
However, Nigeria and African record holder in women’s hammer throw won silver in Paris after a throw of 75.48 metres.
It was a historic podium finish for the USA who claimed their first-ever Olympic medal in the women’s hammer throw event.
Michael Olise (France – Silver)
Olise, born to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother in London, starred for Thierry Henry’s team in the men’s football event with his two goals in six matches.
The new Bayern Munich signing finished on the podium with France after they suffered a 4-3 loss to Spain in the gold medal match on Friday.
