The participation of Nigeria in the Olympics 2024 is a mixture of triumphs, challenges, and failures; it symbolizes the intense, complicated, and tearful journey that their athletes went on in this dug stage. From the hardcourts to cycle tracks, the Nigerian athletes were truly very determined and resilient, even though many of them saw denting setbacks.
One story that certainly towers so tall among all these, however, is that of D’Tigress, who, even though stated among the earlier paragraphs, looks not to be emphasized at the moment. This is because the Nigeria women’s national basketball team once more did its nation proud, as it has always done, and this time with overdoing finesse. Again, guided by an equally brilliant coach and spurred on by a few others who physically stood by them—among them Olumide Oyedeji, President of the Nigeria Olympians Association and a board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation—the girls proceeded to set in motion an amazing run in the Olympic tournament. Oyedeji, who is also an executive member of the Nigeria Olympics Committee, has said he felt very proud of their performance, even as they bowed out after losing to the eight-time Olympic champions from the United States.
D’Tigress, who is known for their street-fight-like competitive instinct, clawed victories against some of the world’s top teams like Australia and Canada before it earned a quarterfinal place. Their performances, therefore, did not just arouse national pride but also inspired admiration across the African continent. His words captured it all about the team’s journey: “In the history of the Olympics, you’ve soared high, reaching heights left only for heavens, leaving your rivals in the dust in a blink of an eye. With a firey passion and might, which shone like the morning light, you achieved what many deem an impossible fight.”
Although their journey ended in the quarterfinals, it was a strong performance against the reigning champions, the dominant U.S. team led by A’ja Wilson. The U.S. closed the deal with an 88-74 win to keep their incredible streak of 59 straight Olympic games alive. Promise Amukamara scored the most on the Nigerian team with 19 points, followed by Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu, who scored 17 and 16 points, respectively. Though the team finally lost, it was a true revelation of the strength and skill of the D’Tigress team that had faced up to the whole game from the beginning. An opé ed written by Oyedeji, who began his message to the team with the rather melancholic tone about the achievement and the emotional journey, continued: “The incredible Olympics achievement brought tears of joy to everyone who has to witness your triumph. We all love you. Go gallant, relentless Tigresses. You rock, trailblazers, pacesetters, queens.”
Although the basketball court is where D’Tigress’ Olympics came to an end, for another Nigerian athlete, her trials took place on the cycling track. Ukpeseraye Ese became the first Nigerian cyclist to represent the country at the Olympic Games. Many fences came in the way of participating in Paris 2024; quite certainly, in the practical aspect of taking up such a challenge in a sport in which the country does not really have a presence.
Ukpeseraye participated in the women’s road race on August 4, to no avail as she didn’t complete New Zealand’s Nicole Mitchell took that event in 1:53:54 hours final time. The challenges of that day continued as she participated in the Keirin and Sprint cycling events no August 7. She recorded a sixth position in the initial round but could not progress since repechage. The Nigerian suffered worse humiliation as she was invited late for her participation in the Keirin and Sprint events without the right and much-needed equipment to make her combative effort count. Therefore, because of the absence of a personal bicycle for the track race, Ukpeseraye now found herself in hot water. But in the height of one of the best displays of sportsmanship in the Olympics, the German cycling team allowed her to borrow a bicycle, which made her compete that day.
The athlete described the experience in a tweet from her now-deactivated Twitter account, noting the difficulties and the support that came: “So I raced the Keirin & sprint by grace cos with the short notice I had no bicycle to race with on the tracks. The German team had the spirit of the sport and helped me out by offering a bicycle.” Not to be put off by the challenges, Ukpeseraye was preparing herself to compete in one more event. It’s a story that reveals not only the invincibility of Agwe’s spirit but also the camaraderie that defines the face of the Olympics: one athlete standing with another in the face of trials and tribulations.
However, for Team Nigeria, one of the most agonizing moments during the Paris 2024 Olympics was for the men’s 4×400 meters relay team, whose hopes were cruelly smashed despite putting up a gallant effort. The quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Dubem Amene, and Chidi Okezie combined to return a Season’s Best of 2:59.81 in their heat, thereby qualifying for the final by placing second behind France. This brought a wave of excitement and expectations the way of these quartets who fancy reliving the glories of their predecessors who won Olympic medals in the event in 1984, 2000, and 2004.
Still, that joy stays just that. The Nigerian officials disqualified the team shortly afterward, in that one of the runners was found to have crossed lanes and consequently caused a South African runner to trip. This disqualified Nigeria, and South Africa took the position in the final. It was painful not only to the concerned team but also to the supporters because it denied the possibility of extending a rich history that Nigeria has had in the 4x400m relay.
Still poised for a successful campaign with some complete optimism, the relay team’s aspiration got it worse of all when they were disqualified, dimming the shades of what could have been some excellent runs in the heats. It is not clear yet if the Nigerian officials in Paris will appeal against the disqualification for the relay team, but then again, it simply underlines how success can prove to be very elusive in the nature of competitive sports.
SOURCES
- https://thesun.ng/paris-olympics-oyedeji-commends-dtigress-resilience-in-paris-olympics/
- https://www.arise.tv/nigerian-cyclist-ese-ukpeseraye-competes-at-paris-2024-olympics-with-borrowed-bicycle/
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/722626-just-in-paris-2024-nigerias-4x400m-mens-relay-team-disqualified.html
