The Olympics, which started on the 26th of July, is undoubtedly one of the most talked about sporting events of 2024. It has been a whirlwind of emotions for the Nigerian athletes as well as their fans, with several controversies surrounding Nigeria’s performance at the games, the most recent being Favour Ofili’s exclusion from competing in the 100-meter race due to administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee and Cynthia Ogunsemilore’s suspension after testing positive for a banned substance ahead of her opening fight. But it’s not all bad news. Even though Nigeria hasn’t won any gold medals yet, there have been some impressive feats and record-breaking moments.
Ezekiel Nathaniel broke a 12-year record at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris, qualifying for the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles event. Ezekiel became the first Nigerian athlete in 12 years to reach the semifinals of the 400m hurdles at the Olympics. He secured his spot by finishing 2nd in heat 4 with a time of 48.32 seconds, earning an automatic qualification.
Samuel Ogazi shattered a 24-year record by advancing to the semifinals in the men’s 400m. Ogazi ran a new personal best of 44.50 seconds, finishing 2nd behind USA’s Quincy Hall, who won the race in 44.28 seconds. Ogazi’s impressive performance marked the first time in 24 years that a Nigerian male quarter-miler qualified for the 400m semifinals at the Olympics.
Thankfully, Favour Ofili was able to compete, becoming the first Nigerian to qualify for the final of the women’s 100 meters at the Olympics in 28 years. The 21-year-old clocked 22.05 seconds to finish second in heat 1 of the women’s 200-meter semifinal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nigeria has not been represented in the event’s final at the games since Mary Onyali achieved the feat in Atlanta ’96.
Oborududu also qualified for the semifinals of the women’s 68kg freestyle in wrestling. She defeated Canada’s Linda Morais in the first round 8-2 before outclassing France’s Koumba Larrouque in the quarterfinal 6-2.
Nigeria’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has also qualified for their first-ever quarterfinal at the Olympic Games after a thrilling 79-70 win over Canada in their final group B match.
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