How Africa Can Turn the 2024 Paris Olympic Defeat into Future Triumph Especially Nigeria
As the curtain fell on the Paris Olympics, for Africa, it was a performance that flickered with both disappointment and promise. As athletes from across the continent packed their bags and headed home, the continent was left to reflect on its modest medal tally of 39—an improvement from Tokyo 2020 but a far cry from the glory days of Rio 2016. For Nigeria, the Paris Games were another painful chapter in a long history of unmet Olympic aspirations. However, beyond the disappointment, a new narrative is taking shape—a narrative of redemption and resurgence ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Paris 2024: Lessons in Failure and Hope
The underwhelming performance of African nations at Paris 2024 was not entirely unexpected, especially for Nigeria. Team Nigeria, once a powerhouse of Olympic success, returned home without a single medal—its worst Olympic outing since London 2012. The painful memories of Seoul 1988, where Nigeria similarly failed to secure a medal, resurfaced as the contingent of 88 athletes left Paris empty-handed. High hopes were dashed, as not even stars like Blessing Oborududu and Ese Brume, who had medaled in Tokyo, could replicate their success.
The backlash in Nigeria was swift and fierce. Sports commentators, former athletes, and public officials wasted no time in lambasting the performance of the team and questioning the colossal funds spent on preparations. Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, decried the lack of results despite the financial investment. Yet, amid the torrent of criticism, a crucial question was being overlooked: Is the medal count the sole measure of success?
In a thought-provoking reflection, Joshua Ocheja, a seasoned analyst, urged Nigerians to stop "crying over spilt milk" and to focus instead on the valuable lessons gleaned from the competition. After all, there were silver linings amid the disappointment—such as the inspiring performance of the D’Tigress, Nigeria’s female basketball team, which became the first African team to reach the quarterfinals in basketball. Similarly, there were individual performances across the continent that stood out, even if they didn’t end with medals. But as Ocheja rightly pointed out, the real focus now should be on the future—on using the painful experience of Paris to better prepare for Los Angeles 2028.
The Persistent Funding Gap: Africa's Uphill Battle
One of the most glaring challenges Africa faces on the Olympic stage is the funding gap. Nations like the United States and the United Kingdom pour hundreds of millions of dollars into their Olympic programs. The US, with its world-class facilities and vast resources, enjoys an infrastructure that consistently churns out top-tier athletes. Meanwhile, many African countries struggle to provide even basic support for their athletes.
Nigeria’s experience in Paris highlights the long-standing issue of inadequate funding. Despite receiving a historic N12 billion ($15.7 million) for the Olympics, Nigerian athletes still faced significant challenges. Former sports director Abba Yola candidly described the chronic underfunding as the Achilles’ heel of Nigerian sports. While the money helped with training camps and travel expenses, it was clear that a one-time financial boost was not enough. What Nigeria and other African countries truly need is consistent, long-term investment in sports infrastructure, training facilities, and athlete development programs.
Egypt presents an interesting case in point. The North African country has invested billions in building sports complexes, eyeing a potential bid to host the Olympics in 2036 or 2040. This investment in infrastructure is aimed at producing future Olympians who can bring home medals. While Egypt's medal tally in Paris may have been modest, the country’s ambitions are clear. If such long-term investments can be made across the continent, Africa's athletes will be better equipped to compete at the highest level.
Botswana, a small nation that won its first-ever gold medal through sprinter Letsile Tebogo, offers a blueprint for other African countries. Coach Justice Dipeba traced Botswana’s success in the men’s 4x400m relay back to the Rio 2016 Games. Botswana has invested in specialized training and development for its athletes, focusing on key disciplines where they can excel. This targeted approach has paid dividends, with Botswana winning medals at the last three Olympics. The lesson here is clear: African nations need to identify their strengths, focus on specific disciplines, and build sustainable programs around them.
Talent Drain: The Quiet Exodus of African Athletes
A quiet but significant challenge Africa faces is the exodus of talented athletes to other nations. The Paris 2024 Olympics was a stark reminder of this reality, with athletes of African descent winning medals for countries outside the continent. Sifan Hassan, originally from Ethiopia, now competes for the Netherlands and has won six Olympic medals. Salwa Eid Naser, who once represented Nigeria, now runs for Bahrain, as does Kenyan-born steeplechase champion Winfred Yavi. These athletes represent a brain drain that weakens Africa's potential on the global stage.
The reasons for this exodus are many. Some athletes leave in search of better training facilities, financial support, and opportunities. Others are lured by the promise of better lifestyles and sponsorship deals abroad. For African nations, the challenge is twofold: first, to retain their best talent, and second, to create an environment that nurtures future stars. This means improving the quality of life for athletes, investing in grassroots sports, and offering competitive incentives to keep athletes from switching allegiances.
Yet, there is hope on the horizon. Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour, a gymnast who chose to represent her father’s homeland rather than her birth country of France, won gold in the uneven bars at Paris 2024. Her decision to compete for Algeria offers a glimmer of hope that the tide may be turning, and that with the right support, Africa’s athletes can stay loyal to their roots.
Looking Ahead: The Road to LA 2028
As Africa looks ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the continent must capitalize on the lessons learned from Paris 2024. One thing is certain: the road to LA starts now. Immediate action is needed to prepare athletes, build facilities, and develop a winning culture across the continent.
African countries need to invest in their elite athletes, supporting them with high-performance training programs and regular international competition. Early preparation is key. As sports analyst Beatrice Chebet points out, Africa’s athletes have the potential to shine, but only if they receive the right support and opportunities. This means governments and private sectors must collaborate to bridge the funding gap and provide athletes with the resources they need to succeed.
Additionally, sports authorities across Africa should prioritize youth development programs and talent identification. Countries like Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa have shown that early investments in young athletes can pay off on the global stage. African nations must also improve their management of national sports federations, appointing competent leaders who understand the nuances of international competition.
The introduction of new sports at LA 2028 could also offer Africa fresh opportunities. Egypt, with its strong squash program, will be eyeing medals, while South Africa’s cricket team may find success in the T20 format. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouse sports like athletics and football will continue to provide Africa with its best chances of Olympic glory.