Nigeria's Loss, World's Gain: Three athletes of Nigerian heritage that shone in Paris

Team Nigeria’s poor performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many describing it as the country’s most lacklustre Olympic showing in recent times.

This is even as Senator John Enoh’s position as Sports Minister is under increasing pressure following Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, with many calling for his dismissal.

From D’Tigress being denied entry to the event’s opening ceremony, crashing out of the Olympic Games after losing 88-74 to the United States of America in the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball event, Favour Ofili’s omission in the 100-metre race, cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye borrowing a bicycle from Team Germany, World Record holder Tobi Amusan failing to qualify for the final of the 100m hurdles event, to the Nigerian relay team being disqualified for violating World Athletics’ competition rule in the 4x400m men’s relay, it has been one tale of disappointment after another.

Nigeria’s Olympic contingent no longer has hopes for a medal, individuals of Nigerian descent have achieved success and recognition competing for other countries.

Checks by The Guardian revealed that while Nigeria remains medal-less, 10 African countries have outperformed them, including Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Zambia.

Here is a list of athletes with Nigerian heritage that have shone brightly for their adopted countries:

1. Yemisi Ogunleye

Yemisi Ogunleye

With a Nigerian father from Ekiti and a German mother, Yemisi Ogunleye secured the top spot in women’s shot put, claiming gold for Germany at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

With a remarkable throw of 20.00m, Ogunleye achieved a groundbreaking triumph, giving Germany its first gold medal in the women’s shot put event since Astrid Kumbernuss’s victory 28 years ago.

With this feat, she becomes the third athlete of Nigerian heritage to win an athletics medal in Paris, as Nigeria struggles to get its first medal.

2. Salwa Eid Naser

Salwa Eid Naser

Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, the Nigerian-born athlete was formerly known as Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu. She won silver for Bahrain in the 400m women’s event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She picked up athletics early in Nigeria and performed at the 2013 School Sports in Port Harcourt and the National Youth Games in Ilorin.

However, the athlete left Nigeria for Bahrain when she was 15, converted to Islam, and changed her name.

She finished the race in 48.53 seconds, just behind Olympic record-breaker Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic, who clocked an incredible 48.17 seconds.

3. Annette Echikunwoke

Annette Nneka Echikunwoke

Annette Nneka Echikunwoke matched Eid Naser’s accomplishment by taking home a silver medal for the United States in the women’s hammer throw event.

Despite being slated to represent Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, the Nigerian-born hammer thrower based in Ohio was disqualified due to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s negligence.

However, she changed allegiance and represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the event. She holds the African area record in hammer throw, with a throw of 75.49m in Tucson in 2021.