The Paris Olympics may have ended with Team Nigeria failing to secure any medals, marking one of the country’s worst performances. However, several athletes of Nigerian descent achieved notable success while competing for other nations.
Due to some heartbreaking misses and what many have criticized as administrative lapses, Nigeria experienced its most disappointing Olympics since 2012, reflecting past performance issues.
In response, the Federal Government has called for a review of the team’s performance.
Despite the lingering disappointment, the achievements of Nigerian-descended athletes competing for other countries highlight the potential success that could be achieved with better preparation.
Here are some of these athletes who secured podium finishes in Paris:
Yemisi Ogunleye
Born to a Nigerian father from Ekiti State and a German mother, Yemisi won gold in the women’s shot put event with a throw of 20.0 meters.
Salwa Eid Naser
Originally named Ebelechukwu Antoinette Agbapuonwu, this Anambra-born athlete, who switched nationality to Bahrain in 2014, earned a silver medal in the women’s 400m event.
Samu Omorodion
In football, Samu Omorodion was part of the Spanish team that won the men’s title. He scored in Spain’s 2-1 loss to Egypt in the group stage. Although Samu could still represent Nigeria, he is expected to continue with Spain.
Michael Olise
Michael Olise was a key player for France in the gold medal match against Spain. Now with Bayern Munich, Olise, who has a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, was born in England and had an impressive performance with two goals and five assists.
Annette Echikunwoke
Annette, born in Ohio to Nigerian parents, switched her nationality to the US after being ruled ineligible for the Tokyo 2020 Games. She won silver in the hammer throw, marking the first medal in this event for the US.
Victoria Ohuruogu
Victoria, of Nigerian descent, was part of Great Britain’s team that won bronze in the women’s 4x400m relay. She is the younger sister of Olympic gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu and was born in London.
Yemi Mary John
Yemi John also contributed to Great Britain’s bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m relay.
Eziyoda Magbegor
Born in New Zealand to Nigerian parents and raised in Australia, Eziyoda led Australia to a bronze medal in women’s basketball, scoring 30 points in the match against Belgium.
Barthélémy Chinenyeze
Barthélémy, born in 1998, won gold with the French volleyball team, playing as a middle blocker.
Chiaka Ogbogu
Chiaka, who helped the US women’s volleyball team win silver, was previously part of the gold-winning team in Tokyo 2020. A first-generation Nigerian-American, she was raised in Texas.
Omoruyi Loveth
Omoruyi Loveth was a member of the French team that won gold in the women’s volleyball event.
Bam Adebayo
Edrice Femi “Bam” Adebayo, who has a Nigerian father and an American mother, played a crucial role in the US men’s basketball team’s fifth consecutive gold medal win. He currently plays for the Miami Heat.
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