- Olympic gold medalist Chioma Ajunwa gave her honest reflection on Nigeria’s Olympic performance
- Another Olympic achiever Enefiok Udo-Obong criticised Nigeria’s Olympic sports management
- More people called for the strategic reform of Nigeria's sports administration
The disappointing showing of most Nigerian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics has raised significant alarm and concern among the nation’s sports icons.
Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria's legendary Olympic gold medalist, and Enefiok Udo-Obong, a renowned Olympic gold medalist and current technical director, have both voiced their dissatisfaction. They emphasised the continuing challenges in the Nigerian sports sector and called for comprehensive reforms to improve future performances.
Chioma Ajunwa's honest reflection on Nigeria’s Olympic performance
Chioma Ajunwa (MON), Nigeria’s pioneering gold medalist at the Olympics, shares in the disappointment of many Nigerians over the country’s underwhelming performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ajunwa's achievement at the Games is etched in history. Not only is she Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medalist, but she is also the first Black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.
At the age of 25, she accomplished this remarkable feat during the Atlanta '96 Olympics.
A media platform, Sports Village Square, inquired from her about Nigeria's disappointing performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and she responded:
“Good morning, Oga Kunle. It’s disheartening that this question arises after every Olympic Games. Even if I explain extensively, it seems pointless. I am genuinely frustrated. The Nigerian sports sector needs to reform and stop appointing ineffective administrators. The focus should be on placing people who are passionate about sports and understand its value for the nation, rather than those motivated by personal gain,” the gold record holder stated assertively.
Enefiok Udo-Obong criticises Nigeria’s Olympic sports management
Enefiok Udo-Obong, an Olympic gold medalist, attributes Team Nigeria's challenges to a variety of factors. He is well-known for his pivotal role in the Nigeria 4×400 metres relay team, which initially achieved a silver medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics before being upgraded to gold due to the disqualification of the US team.
Udo-Obong also claimed a bronze medal in the same event at the Athens 2004 Olympics. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he worked as the technical director for Saudi Athletic Development.
In response to Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance, he stated: “The failure of our athletes to win any medal is due to a combination of lack of preparation, bad luck and incompetence of some of the handlers.”
“And enough is enough. People must be held accountable. The first thing is a sweeping change in the executives of sporting federations.”
He added, “We need new ideas and fresh actions. Good that federation elections are coming soon. A lot of board members are coming with nothing to offer...only perhaps for title in which they are ready to pay their way for.”
He also noted, “We also need a strategy which should be led from the Ministry and there must be a deliberate plan to arrive at fixed targets...short, medium and long.”
As Nigeria deals with its underwhelming results from the Paris 2024 Olympics, the perspectives of Chioma Ajunwa and Enefiok Udo-Obong highlight an urgent need for systemic reform. Without these critical changes, Nigeria’s quest for athletic achievement may continue to fall short, demanding immediate actions from all involved.
Paris Olympics 2024: Tobi Amusan shines bright as she advances into semifinal
Previously, TheRadar reported that Amusan, who has won the Diamond League three times in a row, two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, two African championships, and three gold medals at the African Games, has competed in the Olympics twice (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020).
Tobi Amusan holds the world record for the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.12 seconds, set during the semi-finals of the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She is also the current Commonwealth and African champion in the event.
