NIGERIA'S PARTICIPATION IN OLYMPIC GAMES SINCE 1954

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The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is set to kick off officially on July 26 in what would be the 33rd of the summer event.

The quadrennial event holds immense importance for all participating athletes across all sports and Nigerian athletes like the others will see this as an opportunity to show value, character as well as make history.

Nigeria’s National Olympic Committees (NOC) is among the 54 NOC representing the continent at this edition of the quadrennial event.

Nigeria’s NOC has a total of 88 Nigerian athletes who will be competing in 11 events, including football, basketball, long jump, and weightlifting, among others.

The country has participated in 18 Olympic/Para Olympic Games since its first appearance in 1952.

PREVIEW: AFRICA’S OLYMPIC GAMES PARTICIPATION AHEAD OF PARIS 2024

Our first major Olympic medal was achieved at the 1964 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan, where Nojeem Maiyegun earned a bronze in the men’s light middleweight boxing category.

Nigeria’s most remarkable football achievement occurred at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics when the Dream Team stunned the football world by defeating Brazil and Argentina on their way to winning the gold medal.

Chioma Ajunwa, however, secured a gold medal in the women’s long jump at Atlanta, becoming the first and only individual Nigerian athlete to win an Olympic gold.

Nigeria will be represented by a total of 88 athletes across various sports.

Sports Events Team Nigeria Will Compete In:
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Boxing
Canoeing
Cycling
Football
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Weightlifting
Wrestling

Athletics

Athletics has been Nigeria’s most successful Olympic sport, yielding 14 medals: two gold, five silver, and seven bronze. The country’s first individual gold medal came from Chioma Ajunwa in the long jump at Atlanta 1996. Other notable medalists include Falilat Ogunkoya (silver in the 4x400m relay and bronze in the 400m, Atlanta 1996) and Mary Onyali (bronze in the 4x100m relay, Barcelona 1992, and 200m, Atlanta 1996).

For Paris 2024, hopes are high for world record holder Tobi Amusan in the women’s 100m hurdles, while long jumper Ese Brume aims to improve on her Tokyo 2020 bronze. Sprinters like Favour Ashe and Rosemary Chukwuma are also medal prospects.

Football

Football has brought Nigeria three medals: gold (men’s team, Atlanta 1996), silver (men’s team, Beijing 2008), and bronze (men’s team, Rio 2016). The historic 1996 gold medal run, which included victories over Brazil and Argentina, remains a major highlight of Nigeria’s Olympic history.

This year, after a 16-year absence, the Super Falcons will represent Nigeria in women’s football. Spearheaded by notable stars like Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, they face tough challenges against Brazil, Japan, and world champions Spain in Group D, but Randy Waldrum’s team are a blend of experience and youth that could pull off some surprises.

Boxing

Boxing has contributed six medals to Nigeria’s tally: three silver and three bronze.

Nojim Maiyegun won Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic medal (bronze) in Tokyo 1964. Peter Konyegwachie claimed silver in Los Angeles 1984, the country’s first Olympic silver.

For Paris 2024, Adam Olaore, Joshua Omole, and Cynthia Ogunsemilore will be aiming for Nigeria’s first boxing gold. All three secured their spots with strong performances at the African qualifiers in Senegal and then claimed gold medals at the 12th African Games in Ghana, raising hopes for a solid performance in Paris.

Wrestling

President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, has created the highest morale wrestlers, starting with the 2018 Commonwealth Games, when it was the highest medal hopefuls for Nigeria.

Blessing Oborududu won silver in Tokyo 2020, the country’s first-ever wrestling medal.

In Paris, a strong contingent comprising Oborududu and other veterans like Odunayo Adekuoroye (57 kg) will aim to build on this success. Their experience and recent form make wrestling one of Nigeria’s brightest medal hopes.

Weightlifting

Weightlifting has brought Nigeria two Olympic medals: Ruth Ogbeifo’s silver (Sydney 2000) and Mariam Usman’s bronze (Beijing 2008).

Rafiatu Lawal (59 kg) and Joy Ogbonne Eze (71 kg) qualified for Paris 2024 based on their world rankings. While not favourites, their consistency offers hope for potential podium finishes.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo has yielded one bronze medal for Nigeria, won by Chika Chukwumerije in Beijing 2008.

Elizabeth Anyanacho will be Nigeria’s sole participant in taekwondo in Paris, making history as the first Nigerian female to compete in the sport at two Olympics. Her recent gold medals at the African Games and the Luxembourg Open have raised expectations for a potential medal.

Medals won at previous Olympic Games by sport

Discipline	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Athletics	2	5	7	14
Boxing		3	3	6
Football	1	1	1	3
Taekwondo	0	0	1	1
Weightlifting	0	1	1	2
Wrestling	0	1	0	1
Total	3	11	13	27

Medals won at previous Olympic Games

Games	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Tokyo 2020	0	1	1	2
Rio 2016	0	0	1	1
Beijing 2008	0	3	2	5
Athens 2004	0	0	2	2
Sydney 2000	1	2	0	3
Atlanta 1996	2	1	3	6
Barcelona 1992	0	3	1	4
Los Angeles 1984	0	1	1	2
Munich 1972	0	0	1	1
Tokyo 1964	0	0	1	1
Total	3	11	13	27