• Failure at the Paris 2024 Olympics highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms in sports administration, investment in facilities and grassroots development to turn future potential into podium success
As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw to a close, Team Nigeria’s performance stands as a stark reminder of the challenges and complexities faced by sports teams from developing nations. The initial excitement and optimism surrounding Nigeria’s athletes have been tempered by a reality check as the Games concluded with dashed hopes and unmet expectations.
For months leading up to the Olympics, Nigeria was abuzz with anticipation. Athletes and fans alike harboured dreams of medals and podium finishes, driven by the promise of success that often accompanies Olympic preparation. The country’s preparation included rigorous training, strategic planning, and substantial investments aimed at fostering a winning spirit. Yet, despite these efforts, Team Nigeria’s journey in Paris was marred by a series of setbacks that have left many questioning what went wrong. One of the most glaring issues has been the lack of podium finishes in key sports where Nigeria has traditionally excelled. In athletics, which has historically been a stronghold for the nation, the performances fell short of expectations. Sprinters, who once brought glory to Nigeria with their speed and tenacity, failed to deliver the results that had been hoped for. Similarly, in field events, athletes struggled to break through to the finals, let alone secure medals.
While Paris 2024 may seem like one of Nigeria’s worst performances in recent years, following the medal-less result at London 2012, this failure is particularly striking given the N12 billion commitment by President Tinubu’s government for the Olympics and the upcoming Paralympics. As Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, highlighted, “We have no excuse to fail,” emphasising the expectation for athletes to deliver on the significant investment and goodwill provided. “The President has approved the entire budget, and it is now up to us to reciprocate this goodwill by making the country proud. Expectations are high, and I have faith in the abilities of our athletes.”
Between failure and success
The failure to achieve medal-winning performances in these disciplines underscores a broader issue within Nigeria’s sporting framework. For years, there has been an ongoing discussion about the need for systemic reforms in sports administration, funding, and infrastructure. The disparity between the well-resourced training environments of competing nations and Nigeria’s often inadequate facilities is glaring. While countries with advanced sports programmes benefit from state-of-the-art training facilities, Nigerian athletes frequently contend with suboptimal conditions and limited resources.
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Furthermore, the issue of internal discord and mismanagement within Nigeria’s sports bodies has also been a contributing factor. Reports of administrative inefficiencies, lack of clear direction, and inadequate support structures have plagued the preparation phases of the athletes. These challenges have often led to a lack of cohesion and focus, impacting performance at the international level.
Team Nigeria’s experience at Paris 2024 also highlights a critical need for investment in grassroots sports development. While elite athletes receive significant attention and resources, many potential talents are lost due to a lack of proper nurturing and support at the grassroots level. A comprehensive approach that includes scouting, training, and development from a young age is crucial to building a robust pipeline of athletes who can compete and succeed on the world stage.
Team Nigeria’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a stark disappointment, echoing the underwhelming results from London 2012, despite significant investments, including the N12 billion committed by President Tinubu’s government for the Games and the upcoming Paralympics. The athletes’ struggles were evident across all fronts—from the football field, where the Super Falcons, nine-time African champions, failed to win a single preliminary match, to athletics, where Tobi Amusan, the world 100m hurdles record holder, did not even qualify for the finals. Although there were moments of pride, such as the D’Tigress becoming the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympic Basketball Tournament, and notable performances by badminton player Anuoluwapo Opeyori and long jumpers Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, and Prestina Ochonogor—who made history by reaching the finals—these were overshadowed by numerous setbacks.
Favour Ofili’s exclusion from the 100m event due to administrative errors and Samuel Ogazi’s breakthrough in the 400m final were among the rare bright spots. However, traditional strongholds like boxing and wrestling were marked by disappointment, with boxing plagued by doping issues and wrestling failing to secure any medals. Table tennis, weightlifting, canoeing, taekwondo, and cycling also yielded no medals, underscoring a pervasive sense of missed opportunity and underperformance throughout the 17-day event.
Our preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics clearly fell short of the required standard, despite last-minute efforts by the Ministry of Sports Development under Senator John Owan Enoh. While it is tempting to criticise the minister for Team Nigeria’s poor performance, it’s important to note that he has only been in office for a year and was grappling with a deeply entrenched, chaotic system. The Olympics operates on a four-year cycle, but our approach has often been outdated and disorganised. Since Tokyo 2020, there has been no significant effort to overhaul this process, with most sporting federations only focusing on immediate competition preparation rather than long-term athlete development, as seen in other countries.
The Ministry’s approach to Paris 2024 mirrored this outdated and reactive strategy. For example, the Super Falcons had a rushed two-week training stint in Sevilla before their opening match against Brazil, which they lost, while other athletes experienced similar issues with training being more symbolic than substantive.
While some may view the Paris 2024 Olympics as a poor return on investment, the President Tinubu-led government deserves praise for approving the N12 billion budget for both the Olympics and Paralympics. Senator John Owan Enoh and his team also merit recognition for clearing all allowances due to athletes, including grants for both foreign-based and, for the first time, locally-based competitors. However, the Paris 2024 debacle highlights the need for a more systematic and strategic approach to sports funding. To compete effectively on the global stage, we must adopt the proven methods of successful sports nations like the USA, China, and Jamaica, and even learn from our African peers. Without such reform, our sports will continue to lag behind, as evidenced by our underwhelming performances at events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games since hosting COJA in 2003.
Countdown to Los Angeles 2028
As one commentator pointed out, perhaps it is for the best that Team Nigeria ended the Paris 2024 campaign empty-handed, as it provides a stark opportunity to reset sports administration, which has long been marred by incompetence and mediocrity, in preparation for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. The talent among Nigerian athletes is undeniable, as evidenced by their remarkable performances for other countries: Yemisi Ogunleye secured gold in shot put for Germany, Annette Echokunwoke, who switched allegiance from Nigeria to Team USA, won silver in the Hammer throw, Salwa Eid Naser (formerly Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu) earned silver in the 400m for Bahrain, and Samu Omoridion (Spain) and Michael Olise (France) won gold and silver medals in soccer with their adopted nations.
This should serve as a wake-up call that with modern facilities, competent trainers, and dedicated administrators, Nigerian athletes have the potential to excel at the Olympics, embodying the Games’ motto of “Faster, Stronger, Higher.” If we do not address the systemic issues that have long plagued Nigerian sports, we risk even greater embarrassment when the Olympics returns to the USA, where our most notable achievements include Africa’s first soccer gold medal and Chioma Ajunwa’s long jump gold at the Atlanta 1996 Games, along with three bronze medals.
The emotional toll of unmet expectations cannot be overlooked. Athletes who have dedicated years of their lives to training and competing feel the weight of their nation’s hopes on their shoulders. The sense of disappointment is palpable, not only for the athletes but also for the supporters who believed in their potential. As the dust settles on the Paris Games, there are lessons to be learned from Team Nigeria’s experience. It is clear that while individual talent and effort are essential, they must be supported by a strong, coherent system that addresses the multifaceted needs of athletes. Comprehensive reforms in sports administration, increased investment in facilities, and a commitment to grassroots development are imperative to turn the tide for Nigerian sports.
The hope for future Olympic success lies in addressing these systemic issues and ensuring that Nigeria’s athletes are equipped with the tools and support necessary to compete at the highest level. Only through a united and strategic approach can Team Nigeria hope to transform dashed hopes into future triumphs on the global stage.
Finally, now is not the time to demand the resignation of the Minister of Sports Development, Senator Enoh, as some critics suggest; he has shown leadership, and improvements are possible under his guidance. The Paris 2024 Games present an opportunity for him to reform our sporting system—from administration to facilities and training—though it remains to be seen if we will embrace this chance for meaningful change.
