2024 0lympic Games : Our Present, Past and Future

The last time team Nigeria ended the Olympic game without winning a medal was 12 years ago, at the London Games in 2012. Despite huge investment by the country’s president; Chief Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after approving the sum of  N12 billion for the country’s outing at the Olympics and the Paralympics, the 88 athletes that represented the team fell short of the podium, marking the eighth Olympic Games without a medal for Nigeria. However, other African countries like Kenya, Algeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Egypt, Botswana, Uganda, and Morocco won medals, while Nigeria returned empty-handed. The African countries that won gold at the Olympics are: Kenya, 4 gold medals; Algeria, 2 gold medals; South Africa, 1 gold medal; Ethiopia, 1 gold medal; Egypt, 1 gold; Tunisia, 1 gold; Botswana, 1 gold; Uganda, 1 gold and Morocco, 1 gold.

Amidst the poor performance displayed by the Nigerian’s team, Nigerians have not failed to voice out their displeasures. Even the second runner-up at the 2023 Nigeria’s Presidential election as well as the former Governor of Anambra state; Peter Obi, did not withhold his disappointment. According to the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, who shared his displeasure and disappointment as he wrote on  his X page (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, describing the performances of Nigerians at the just concluded Olympic as a disaster. He also highlighted ways to addressing the issues leading to the nation’s failure in France; “As we go back home, we must do everything to prevent future occurrences of the Paris disaster, and if this will entail the review of how people are elected to lead our sporting federations, it will be done.”

According to Channels TV, Social Media Correspondent, Emmanuel Egobiambu  also shared his opinion; “The elections for the federations are around the corner, and it will be the perfect platform to get only those who are most eligible to lead the various sports federations. Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country did not secure any medals does not entail being addressed just by our participation at the Olympics, but, it is a product of very many other things that needs immediate attention.”

Nigeria’s team might have performed woefully at the 2024 Olympics, but, the team still managed to make some historical feat despite their woes. Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, and Prestina Ochonogor made history by reaching the women’s long jump final. Although none of them earned medal, but, this feat made it the first time three Nigerian long jump althelets, would reach the zenith of the event. Also, Nigeria’s D’Tigress became the first African country (male or female) to reach the quarter-final of the Olympic Games.

The 2024 edition of the Olympic games might have not been a remarkable one, but moment like this should be seen as an opportunity for Nigerian’s to reflect on the remarkable achievements of Team Nigeria in past Olympic Games. Since the first participation in the beautiful game in 1952, except in 1976, Nigeria has participated in all Olympic games, and have garned  about 27 medals. From historic gold medals to groundbreaking performances in various disciplines, Nigerian athletes have consistently demonstrated excellence and resilience on the global stage.

Nigeria first Olympic medal was won in Tokyo in 1964 by Nojeem Maiyegun. It was Nigeria’s first bronze medal in the Olympics. Nojeem won the bronze medal in the men’s light middleweight category.

In 1972, Isaac Ikhouria, a Nigerian boxer in the men’s light-heavyweight category, won a bronze medal in München, West Germany, making it Nigeria’s second Olympic medal.

At the 1996 Olympics games, team Nigeria won first-ever medal in athletics in the men’s 4×400 metres race. The five men group include Sunday Uti, Innocent Egbunike, Moses Ugbesien, and Rotimi Peters, won the bronze medal with a winning time of 2:59.32. 

In 1984, Peter Konyyegwachie, won a silver medal in the men’s featherweight category.

In 1992, the Nigerian men’s 4×100 metres relay team won a silver medal. While on the other hand, the 4×100 metres relay for women won a bronze medal. Also, men’s heavyweight boxer David Izonritei won a silver medal. Richard Igbineghu also won silver for Nigeria in the men’s super-heavyweight category.

In 1996, Nigeria claimed its first Olympic gold medal in the women’s long jump. Likewise the Super Eagles also won a gold medal in football. Also in this same year, Nigeria won a silver medal in the women’s 4×400 metres relay. Mary Onyali and Calister Ubah also won a bronze medal in the women’s 200-metre category. Falilat Ogunkoya, Fatima Yusuf and Bisi Afolabi won a bronze medal in the 400-metre category. Duncan Dokiwari won another bronze medal in the men’s boxing super-heavyweight category.

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In 2000, Nigeria a gold medal in the men’s 4×400 metres relay, a silver medal in the women’s 100 metres hurdles, and a silver in the women’s weightlifting heavyweight category.

In 2004, Nigeria won two bronze medals—one in the men’s 4×100 metres relay and another in the men’s 4×400 metres relay.

In 2008 Olympics games held in Beijing, China, Nigeria won three silver and two bronze medals. In the women 4×100 metres relay, Blessing Okagbare got a silver medal in the women’s long jump, and a silver by the Super Eagles in the men’s football category. In the men’s taekwondo, Nigeria won a bronze medal, likewise in the weightlifting women’s super-heavyweight category.

In 2016, the Super Eagles of Nigeria football team won a bronze medal in the men’s football category.

In the 2020, Nigeria’s Ese Brume won a bronze medal in the women’s long jump category. Blessing Oborududu also won a silver medal in the women’s freestyle wrestling light-heavyweight category.

I guess we all knows how 2024 Olympics games edition went down. This year edition of Olympics games ended in deadlock for Nigeria team, but Nigerians should use this moment to reflect on whve’ve achieved in the past previous editionof the game and we should start thinking a way forward.