At the 2022 Tokyo Olympics, Africa won 37 medals, including 11 golds, but forecasts predict a 20% increase in the number of medals won, i.e. 50 more. According to Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Acnoa) since 2018, African athletes have the human resources and potential to succeed in this challenge.
The Paris Olympic Games kicked off on July 26, 2024, with many eyes on the athletes set to represent the African continent. Some of these athletes are known for their high performances while others for having marked the history of their countries. Living legend of the marathon, Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan double Olympic gold medallist, is aiming for a third medal in Paris. In 2019, he became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours (1:59:40) at the “Ineos 1:59 Challenge” in Vienna. Kipchoge also won the Tokyo Marathon in 2022 and the Berlin Marathon in 2023, confirming his status as the undisputed favorite.
These 2024 Olympics are really special for my career, precisely in sport, firstly to be the first fastest Kenyan to be Olympic 5 times in a row and secondly because what I’m going to count and try to win a medal in order to become the fastest being impacted. And that’s really special.
Eliud Kipchoge, Athlete –Kenya
Speaking of Burkinabé athlete Hugues Fabrice Zango, the first Burkinabé world medallist to win a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, he set a new world indoor record with a jump of 18.07m in 2021. In 2023, he won gold at both the African Championships and the Jeux de la Francophonie, demonstrating consistent form and impressive jumping technique. West Africa is also represented by world-renowned Ivorian sprinter Marie-Josée Ta Lou, who finished fourth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the 100m and 200m. She won silver at the 2017 World Championships over 100m and 200m, and broke her personal best over 100m in 2023 with a time of 10.72s. After her many failures behind the medal she is chasing, she is determined to turn her success into Olympic gold in Paris.
I’d say this year I’m more focused on my execution. The workouts have been different from what I know and so I’ll try to just execute what the coach says and take each competition as a workout away from the stress and just run. I’ve been away from medals since 2019 and so I’m all in and by God’s grace I hope to come home with a medal for my country.
Marie-Josée Ta Lou, Athlete – Ivory Coast
Representing Nigeria is reigning World Champion Tobi Amusan, who, after setting a new world record in the 100m hurdles in 2022 with a time of 12.12s, also won the Diamond League in 2022 and 2023. Her ability to clear the hurdles with speed and fluidity positions her as a serious contender for Olympic gold in Paris, even if she will have to contend with some choice rivals. Tatjana Schoenmaker, for her part the torchbearer for South Africa, is known for having won several gold medals at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, confirming her status as a force to be reckoned with in swimming and her position as one of South Africa’s best medal prospects at the 2024 Olympics.
