The Dismal Performance of the Nigerian Contingents in the just Concluded 2024 Olympics

The goal of every starter is to finish. The Nigerian athletes who represented the country in diverse sports in the just concluded Olympics which held in Paris, France started the games well and strong. Although, we could not say the same as regard them finishing. The 2024 Olympics showed the dauntlessness of different skilled athlete representing their various countries from different parts of the world. These countries’ contingents made their nations stand out with record breaking performance. For instance, the USA contingents, Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, and Rai Benjamin in the 4x400m mixed relay finished in 3:07.41 time frame, which broke the previous record also held by an USA athlete, Budapest, who finished in 3:08.80 time frame.

The Nigerian athletes brought back home zero medals. This left so many cheering Nigerians in disappointment. From an historical view, Nigeria has been known for producing skillful athletes, especially in athletics, football and basketball. Record has also shown that the country has won medals from diverse international sport competitions. However, history didn’t repeat itself in the 2024 Olympics. Most of the athletes struggled to advance past the early rounds leading to only few qualifying for the advanced rounds. The Nigerian super falcons also were at the bottom of the table with zero point. They lost to Japan in the group stage and was out of the Olympics football tournament.

Nigerians gave their comments on the disappointing results from the 2024 Olympics.

“I believe our football players did not win because they felt intimidated by other international players especially with the records these skilled players already hold. Our players were scared and it reflected in the results of the match”.

“To me, our Nigerian players are the best at the Continental level, that is, in Africa. Globally, we are not. So, our players need to train harder for the next Olympics in 2028”.

The Nigerian women basketball players left so many Nigerians contented than disappointed. This was as a result of their display of excellent team spirit and expertise in the game. They emerged as the first and only African country to make it to the women basketball Olympics’ quarter finals. Beyond that, they faced the defending champions, USA, who had won seven times consecutively in the previous basketball Olympics tournament, and eventually emerged as the winners of the 2024 basketball Olympics for the eighth time in row. The result of the game of the USA and Nigerian basketball tournament was 88 to 74 respectively. It was a commendable performance and the team was praised and encouraged by supportive Nigerians.

In furtherance, Nigerians question the future performance of her contingents in future international games and tournaments. Some posit that the current economic hardship and insurgencies going on in the nation, is partly responsible for their disappointing performance in the Olympics. They further state that if the state of country doesn’t improve in few years to come, the country shouldn’t expect any medal from her contingents in the 2028 Olympics and future competitions. Thus, the government has a role to play in determining the future of the Nigerian sports both locally and internationally. The citizens, as supporters, are not left out as there is a need to stop downplaying our representatives and spreading hate speeches and comments on social media handles, but rather encourage them regardless. By doing this, we play our role, showing our patriotism and togetherness.

In summary, the Nigerian Olympics contingents fought a good fight. But there is room for a lot of training and improvement. Their loss in the just concluded Olympics should serve as an opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn. Nigeria could emerge as the winning country with the most medals in the next Olympics tournament in 2028. Our representative just need to believe it and work towards achieving it. Remember, quitters don’t win and winners don’t quit. In the race of life, may we all finish well and strong.

Having established my stands on the performance of Nigerian athletes in the just concluded Olympics, do you think Nigeria will perform better in the 2028 Olympics?