The Nigerian contingent at the 2024 Paris Olympics made its entry at the opening ceremony today with Tobi Amusan as flag bearer and Anuoluwapo Opeyeri as Team captain
Nigeria’s Olympic journey began in 1952 when the country made its debut at the Helsinki Summer Olympics. With a team of just nine athletes, Nigeria’s early forays into the Olympics were marked by modest performances.
However, it wasn’t until the 1964 Tokyo Olympics that Nigeria won its first medal, courtesy of Nojim Maiyegun’s bronze in the light middleweight boxing division.
The 1970s and 1980s saw Nigeria’s Olympic fortunes rise, with athletes like Chioma Ajunwa and Yusuf Alli winning medals in athletics. The 1992 Barcelona Olympics were a highlight, with Nigeria’s football team, the Super Eagles, clinching gold.
The 2000s saw a decline in Nigeria’s Olympic performances, but the country bounced back at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with medals in athletics and taekwondo.
In 2016, Nigeria’s football team won bronze at the Rio Olympics, while in 2020, Blessing Oborududu made history by becoming the first Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
Throughout its Olympic history, Nigeria has faced challenges, including funding and infrastructure issues. However, the country’s athletes have consistently shown resilience and determination, inspiring generations to come.
Today, Nigeria continues to strive for Olympic success, with a new crop of talented athletes emerging to carry the torch forward.