The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is determined to achieve Olympic gold medals for Nigeria at the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. NOC President Habu Gumel expressed this commitment following the presentation of reports from the constitution review committee and an assessment of the refurbishment of sports facilities at the Amuwo Odofin Olympic Sports Village in Lagos.
Nigeria’s quest for Olympic gold has been a longstanding ambition since the memorable victory at the Sydney 2000 Games, where the nation’s men’s 4x400m relay team initially won silver, later upgraded to gold after the disqualification of the U.S. team. This success followed the iconic achievements at the Atlanta 1996 Games, where Chioma Ajunwa and the men’s football team brought home two gold medals, marking a pinnacle in Nigerian Olympic history.
President Habu Gumel reaffirmed NOC’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to ensure Nigeria’s preparation for the Paris Olympics culminates in triumph. “We are working closely with the Ministry of Sports Development to ensure our journey to the Paris Olympics is a resounding success,” Gumel stated.
Currently, Nigeria has secured qualifications for 85 athletes for the Paris Games, with ongoing participation in qualifying championships expected to bolster these numbers. “Our athletes are engaged in rigorous training both domestically and abroad,” Gumel added. Plans are underway for international training camps to further enhance their readiness for the prestigious event.
“The Ministry of Sports Development is arranging training tours for our athletes abroad. While some athletes are training locally, others are in countries like Germany and the USA,” Gumel elaborated. “We are preparing meticulously to present our athletes in prime condition for Paris.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s Olympic journey since Atlanta 1996, where the nation has often secured silver and bronze medals, Gumel expressed optimism about breaking this pattern in Paris. “We are determined to do our best and make Nigeria proud,” he affirmed. The NOC’s strategic preparations and athlete-focused initiatives aim to propel Nigeria towards achieving Olympic gold once more, showcasing the nation’s athletic prowess on the global stage.
