Africa’s performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Paris: The conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics was marked by a remarkable closing ceremony that drew over 70,000 spectators, including 8,000 athletes, at the Stade de France on Sunday.
As the sporting event comes to an end, African nations can reflect with pride on their achievements in this latest iteration of the quadrennial sporting event.
In total, the continent outperformed its previous showing in Tokyo, amassing 38 medals, one more than it secured at the last Olympics.
Kenya led the African medal tally with 11 medals, comprising four gold, two silver, and five bronze, all earned in athletics. Algeria followed in second place with two gold medals and one bronze, while South Africa ranked third with one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. Ethiopia rounded out the top four, also claiming one gold and three silver medals.
Kenya’s reputation for excellence in athletics, particularly in middle and long-distance events, was once again affirmed this year. Kenyan athletes made significant contributions by winning bronze medals in both marathon events, thanks to Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto, despite the notable disappointment of Eliud Kipchoge’s withdrawal.
In the men’s and women’s 5000m races, Kenyan competitors secured silver medals, with Ronald Kwemoi and Faith Kipyegon leading their respective events. Kipyegon also triumphed in the women’s 1500m, while Béatrice Chebet achieved gold in both the 5000m and 10,000m events, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi claimed the Olympic title in the 800m.
This remarkable accomplishment brought immense pride to his nation, prompting a special day off in Botswana to honor the 21-year-old sprinter’s Olympic victory.
Additionally, Letsile Tebogo played a crucial role in Botswana’s success, contributing to the nation’s second medal by securing silver in the men’s 4 x 400m relay.
Kaylia Nemour’s triumph on the uneven bars has made her the first African athlete to secure a gold medal at these Games, representing a remarkable milestone for Algeria.
In the realm of boxing, Imane Khelif achieved Olympic champion status in the -66 kg category, despite encountering controversy surrounding her gender and experiencing a wave of transphobic harassment on social media.
South Africa’s sole gold medal in Paris was claimed by swimmer Tatjana Smith, who excelled in the 100m breaststroke and also garnered a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke.
Tatjana Smith with her gold and silver medals in swimming. Additionally, South Africa secured two silver medals: one in the men’s 4x100m relay and another in women’s javelin, thanks to Jo-Ane van Dyk.
The latest medal for South Africa was awarded to Alan Hatherly in the men’s cross country event.
Ethiopia completes the top four with a total of four medals.
Tamirat Tola achieved Ethiopia’s only gold medal by winning the men’s marathon in a time of 2:06:26, thereby breaking the world record previously held by Kenyan Samuel Kamau Wanjiru since 2008.
Furthermore, Ethiopian athletes earned three silver medals: Berihu Aregawi in the men’s 10,000m, Tsige Duguma in the women’s 800m, and Tigst Assefa, who finished as the runner-up in the women’s marathon.
Other African nations that secured a gold medal include Egypt, Tunisia, Botswana, Uganda, and Morocco.
Egypt ranked fifth with a total of three medals. Fencer Mohamed Elsayed achieved a historic milestone for the nation by securing the first medal, a bronze, in a match against Hungary’s Tibor Ferenc Andrasfi.
In modern pentathlon, Ahmed Elgendy triumphed by winning a gold medal, while Sara Ahmed distinguished herself in weightlifting, earning a silver in the -81kg category.
Tunisia made a significant impact in taekwondo, with Firas Katoussi winning gold in the -80kg category and Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi capturing bronze in the -58kg category.
Additionally, Fares Ferjani earned a silver medal in the individual fencing sabre event.
Uganda, despite having only two medals, achieved noteworthy success. Joshua Cheptegei, a three-time world champion in the 10,000 meters, once again excelled, securing a gold medal and setting an Olympic record of 26 minutes and 43.14 seconds in his preferred event.
The second medal for Uganda was claimed by Peruth Chemutai, who won silver in the women’s 3,000 meters steeplechase.
Morocco concluded the Paris 2024 Games with two medals: a gold in athletics by Soufiane El Bakkali in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase and a bronze in football.
The Atlas Lions, following their defeat to Spain in the semifinals, achieved a bronze medal by triumphing over Egypt with a score of 6-0. This victory represents the inaugural Olympic medal for the Moroccan national team.
The last three nations in this African ranking each obtained a single medal, all of which were bronze. Cape Verde’s only medal was secured by boxer David de Pina, who placed third in the -51 kg division.
Zambia rejoices with Muzala Samukonga, who finished third in the men’s 400 meters, while Ivory Coast celebrated a bronze in Taekwondo, courtesy of Cheick Sallah Cissé in the +80 kg category.
Regrettably for Nigeria, often referred to as the “giant of Africa,” the Paris Olympics will be remembered as a disappointing event, as the nation, which boasts a population exceeding 220 million, concluded the games without any medals.
This outcome is particularly striking given the presence of a substantial delegation comprising 88 athletes and numerous officials who had the opportunity to experience the pleasant atmosphere of the French capital over the course of the remarkable 19 days.
