NOC Commits to Ending Nigeria’s 24-Year Gold Medal Drought at Paris Olympics
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has pledged to end the country’s 24-year quest for Olympic gold medals at the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.
NOC President Habu Gumel made this commitment after receiving reports from the constitution review committee and the review of the refurbishment of sports infrastructure at the Amuwo Odofin Olympic Sports Village in Lagos. The event took place at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) office in Jahi, Abuja.
Nigeria’s last Olympic gold medal was secured at the Sydney 2000 Games when the men’s 4x400m relay team’s silver medal was upgraded to gold following the disqualification of the U.S. team due to a doping violation. Before that, Nigeria’s memorable gold medals came from Chioma Ajunwa in long jump and the men’s football team at the Atlanta 1996 Games.
President Gumel expressed optimism that Team Nigeria will break the gold medal jinx in Paris. He highlighted the close collaboration between the NOC and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to ensure success at the Paris Olympics.
“We are working hand in hand with the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to ensure our journey to the Paris Olympics is a huge success. So far, we have qualified 85 athletes for the Paris Games, and more are still participating in qualifying championships,” said Gumel.
Plans are also underway to train Nigeria’s athletes abroad ahead of the Olympics. “Arrangements are being made by the Ministry of Sports Development to take the athletes on a training tour outside the country. Athletes are already training locally, and many are training abroad in countries like Germany and the USA,” he added.
Gumel emphasized the NOC’s commitment to making Nigeria proud in Paris, aiming to finally secure a gold medal after the long wait since Atlanta 1996. “We have been getting silver and bronze medals since Atlanta 1996, but we believe this time we will break the jinx in Paris,” he concluded.
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