Olympics: Five Nigerian-born athletes who won medals for other countries
Team Nigeria did not win any medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Despite competing in 12 events, the team was unable to match their continental success on the Olympic stage. A total of 88 athletes represented Nigeria across 12 different sports.
Although standout performances were delivered by athletes like Favour Ofili in athletics and Blessing Oborududu in wrestling, the team did not achieve their medal goals.
However, some athletes of Nigerian descent made notable contributions while representing other nations. These athletes, who were either born in Nigeria or have Nigerian heritage, competed for countries such as Germany, Bahrain, the United States, France, Great Britain, and Spain.
They secured Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in sports including hammer throw, football, and basketball.
Here is a list of Nigerian athletes who won Gold medals for other nations at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
1. Samu Omorodion (Spain):
Event: Men’s Football
Medal: Gold
Samu Omorodion represented Spain in men’s football at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although he is still eligible to represent Nigeria, Omorodion has been making his mark with Spain.
2. Barthelemy Chinenyeze (France):
Event: Men’s Volleyball
Medal: Gold
Chinenyeze is a French volleyball player who gained prominence by leading the French national team to a gold medal in men’s volleyball.
3. Femi “Bam” Adebayo (USA):
Event: Men’s Basketball
Medal: Gold
Femi Bam Adebayo, also known simply as Bam Adebayo, played a crucial role in the USA men’s basketball team winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
4. Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany):
Event: Women’s Shot Put
Medal: Gold
Yemisi Ogunleye, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s shot put at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory marked Germany’s first gold in the event since 1996.
5. Annette Echikunwoke
America’s hammer throw star, Echikunwoke, was born and raised in Pickerington, Ohio, by Nigerian parents. Initially set to represent Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she was ruled ineligible to compete.
Following this setback, Echikunwoke switched her allegiance back to the United States and went on to win a silver medal in the hammer throw at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.