Yemisi Ogunleye made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning gold in women’s shot put for Germany with a throw of 20.00m. Born to Nigerian and German parents, her victory sparked pride among Nigerians, highlighting the ongoing success of Nigerian athletes representing other countries on the global stage.
In an exhilarating moment at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Yemisi Ogunleye secured Germany’s first gold medal in women’s shot put since 1996. Born to a Nigerian father and German mother, Ogunleye’s throw of 20.00m in the Stade de France shocked many and earned her a place in Olympic history. Her triumph is celebrated not just in Germany but also among Nigerians, who express pride in her achievement.
New Zealand’s Maddison-Lee Wesche claimed silver with a throw of 19.86m, while China’s Song Jiayuan took bronze with 19.32m. Despite the close competition, Ogunleye’s final throw sealed her victory.
The victory sparked widespread reactions online, particularly among Nigerians who hailed Ogunleye’s success as a reflection of the resilience and talent of Nigerians globally. Many lamented that Nigeria, once again, missed out on harnessing the potential of its athletes, as Ogunleye represented Germany rather than her father's homeland. Social media users expressed both pride in Ogunleye’s accomplishment and frustration with Nigeria’s inability to support its homegrown talent effectively.
Commentators noted that this is yet another example of Nigerian athletes excelling on the world stage for other countries, a pattern that continues to raise questions about the country’s sports management. Ogunleye’s victory is seen not only as a personal achievement but also as a symbolic moment for Nigerians worldwide.
