Paris 2024 Olympics: The journey so far for Team Nigeria

Prior to the start of the track and field event, and with only one win recorded in 14 matches, which was Nigeria Women Basketball’s victory over Australia, Team Nigeria has won only 7.14% of all matches it has played, according to Chika Chukwumerije, bronze medal winner in Taekwondo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Chukwumerije says Team Nigeria has been involved in 14 games/matches across six sports including: Women Football, Women Basketball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Swimming and Boxing.

In an email message, Chukwumerije highlighted the four sports in which Team Nigeria’s campaign has ended and others who are still in contention.

In football, three group games losses to Brazil, Spain and Japan ensured the Super Falcons exited the Games at the group phase for the third time in four appearances.

In Table Tennis, the quartet of Aruna Quadri, Olajide Omotayo, Offiong Edem and Fatimo Bello lost their first matches in the round of 64 to Romania, Iran, Brazil and France respectively and ended their participation.

The same scenario played out in the Badminton where Team Captain Anuoluwapo Opeyori fought gallantly but ultimately lost his two group matches to Switzerland and China.

The two-time African Games singles champion (2019 and 2023) competed at Tokyo 2020 in men’s doubles with Godwin Olofua.

In Paris, Opeyori became the first Nigerian men’s singles player to compete at an Olympic Games since Kayode Akinsanya at Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Also in Boxing, the story was the same as Olaitan Adam Olaore lost 0 – 5 to Kazakstan, with all five judges scoring in favour of the Kazakstan opponent. His female team mate, Cynthia Ogunsemilore, was disqualified due to an anti-doping rule violation.

While Tobi Sijuade did not make the qualifying time to go to the semi-finals in Swimming which means he has exited the competition, 16-year-old Nwandu Adaku will be competing in the Women’s 50m Freestyle on Saturday, 3rd August. This is the last Nigeria swimmer on the cards.

Adaku is the youngest member of Team Nigeria to the Paris 2024 Olympics and is participating in her first Olympics.

In Basketball, a win over Canada will see D’Tigress qualify for the quarterfinal for the first time in their history and that of basketball in Nigeria.

The athletics event began Friday morning with only Rosemary Chukwuma making it to the 100m semifinal while Tima Godbless and Temitope Adeshina fell at the first hurdle in the 100m and high jump respectively.