Team Nigeria has had a significant history in previous Olympic Games, thus achieving success in several sports over the years.
The U-23 National team became the first African country to win Olympic Gold Medal in football and it happened in 1996.
Here are some highlights of Nigeria’s achievements in recent Olympics:
Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021 due to COVID-19)
Ese Brume: Bronze medal in women’s long jump.
Blessing Oborududu: Silver medal in women’s freestyle wrestling (68 kg category). This was Nigeria’s first Olympic medal in wrestling.
Rio 2016
Men’s Football (Soccer) Bronze medal. The Nigerian men’s team won the bronze by defeating Honduras in the third-place match.
London 2012
Nigeria did not win any medals in the 2012 Olympics, marking a challenging period for the nation’s Olympic ambitions.
Beijing 2008
Men’s Football (Soccer) Silver medal. The team reached the final but lost to Argentina.
Chika Chukwumerije: Bronze medal in taekwondo (men’s +80 kg category).
Athens 2004
Women’s 4x100m Relay:Bronze medal. The Nigerian team finished third behind Jamaica and Russia.
Men’s 4x400m Relay: Bronze medal. The Nigerian team was promoted to bronze after the United States team was disqualified for doping violations.
Sydney 2000
Sunday Bada, Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu, Enefiok Udo-Obong (Men’s 4x400m Relay)**: Silver medal (upgraded to gold in 2008 due to a doping violation by the U.S. team).
Glory Alozie: Silver medal in women’s 100m hurdles.
Atlanta 1996
Men’s Football (Soccer): Gold medal. The team made history by becoming the first African team to win the Olympic gold medal in football.
Chioma Ajunwa: Gold medal in women’s long jump, marking Nigeria’s first Olympic gold in track and field.
Falilat Ogunkoya: Bronze medal in women’s 400m.
Duncan Dokiwari: Bronze medal in men’s super heavyweight boxing.
Nigeria’s achievements, particularly in athletics and football, have been significant, with the country producing numerous world-class athletes and moments of national pride on the global stage.
Team Nigeria would hope to consolidate on previous performances at the Olympics in the forthcoming Paris games starting on Friday, July 26.
Ese Brume, Tobi Amusan Odunayo Adekunroye, Blessing Oborodudu are the major prospects for podium finish in Paris.