Nigerian-born athletes made significant impacts at the Paris 2024 Olympics, earning medals while representing other countries. Highlights include Yemisi Ogunleye's shot put gold for Germany, Annette Echikunwoke's hammer throw silver for the U.S., and Samu Omorodion's football gold for Spain.
The Paris 2024 Olympics may have ended without any medals for Nigeria, but the global sporting event still saw Nigerian-born athletes making headlines—though under different flags. Despite the disappointment of the official Nigerian team, five athletes of Nigerian descent earned medals, showcasing their exceptional talent on the world stage while representing other countries.
Samu Omorodion, a young football prodigy, played a pivotal role in Spain’s victory in men’s football, earning a gold medal. Born in Melilia, Spain, to Nigerian parents, Omorodion's performance, including a crucial goal in the group stage, helped Spain clinch the title. His rising star power has caught the attention of major clubs, with a move to Chelsea reportedly on the horizon.
Salwa Eid Naser, born Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Onitsha, Anambra, added to Bahrain’s medal tally by winning silver in the women’s 400m. Her journey from Nigeria to Bahrain has been marked by incredible speed and endurance, culminating in her podium finish at Paris 2024, where she competed against the world's best.
Michael Olise, now a key player for Bayern Munich, earned a silver medal with the French football team. Olise, who has Nigerian roots through his father, showcased his skills on the Olympic stage, further solidifying his reputation as one of football’s brightest young talents. His family’s deep ties to football, with his younger brother playing for Chelsea FC, highlight the strong sporting lineage he hails from.
Yemisi Ogunleye emerged as a standout performer in the women’s shot put, securing a gold medal for Germany. Born to a Nigerian father from Ekiti and a German mother, Ogunleye's victory was historic, marking Germany's first win in the event since the Atlanta 1996 Olympics. Her triumph was celebrated not only for her athletic prowess but also for her acknowledgment of her Nigerian roots, which she proudly highlighted by singing a Yoruba gospel song in a viral video.
Annette Echikunwoke took a different path to Olympic glory. Originally representing Nigeria, she was disqualified from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Disillusioned but undeterred, Echikunwoke switched allegiance to the United States and won a silver medal in the women’s hammer throw at Paris 2024.
These athletes, though competing for different countries, share a common heritage and have brought pride to Nigeria through their achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Credit: Vanguard Newspaper
