Shining Stars

By Arnold Mutunga

African Athletes Redefining Excellence at the 2024 Paris Olympics

As the 2024 Paris Olympics draw to a close, the performances of African athletes have once again illuminated the global stage, not merely as participants, but as formidable competitors rewriting the narrative of what it means to be an African athlete. 

These Games have underscored an essential truth: African athletes’ potential is vast and incredibly diverse, encompassing a wide range of sports from traditional long-distance running to emerging disciplines like gymnastics and fencing. Yet, this potential is frequently realized against a backdrop of systemic challenges that would derail most others. Despite facing inadequate funding, limited access to top-tier training facilities, and, at times, mismanagement by national sports federations, African athletes continue to shine on the world stage, proving that their talent and determination are forces to be reckoned with.

Africa’s Medals: A Reflection of Talent and Missed Opportunities

While Kenya, with its 11 medals, stands out as a beacon of African athletic excellence, this success is a bittersweet reminder of the continent’s untapped potential. Faith Kipyegon’s historic triumph in the 1,500 meters is nothing short of legendary—three consecutive Olympic golds and a silver in the 5,000 meters is a feat unmatched in the sport. However, her success, like that of many of her peers, raises an uncomfortable question: how much more could African athletes achieve with the same level of support that their Western counterparts receive? The reality is that many of these athletes train under suboptimal conditions, relying on personal determination and familial support rather than comprehensive national programs.

In many ways, Kipyegon’s victories are symbolic of the broader African experience—extraordinary achievements under extraordinary pressures. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who secured his country’s first-ever Olympic gold in the 200 meters, exemplifies this narrative. His victory shatters the long-held monopoly of Western sprinters and signals a shift in the global sprinting landscape, where African athletes can and should be dominant. But again, this victory begs the question: what if Tebogo had access to the kind of resources that are readily available to athletes in the U.S. or Europe?

Exodus of Talent. A Reflection of Systemic Failures

A troubling trend at the 2024 Paris Olympics was the increasing number of African athletes competing under foreign flags, highlighting systemic failures within African sports infrastructure. Athletes like Winfred Yavi, who broke records for Bahrain, and Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, who won silver for the USA, originally hailed from Kenya and Nigeria, respectively. Their decisions to represent other nations stemmed from inadequate support, poor facilities, and mismanagement in their home countries.

The exodus of African talent to other nations is not just a loss for the continent; it’s a stark reminder of the systemic failures that plague African sports. Take Nigeria, a nation with a population exceeding 200 million people and a rich history in athletics. One would expect Nigeria to be a dominant force at the Olympics, yet their performance in recent years has been underwhelming. Despite having the raw talent, Nigeria’s potential is stifled by a combination of inadequate investment in sports infrastructure, poor management, and a lack of consistent support for athletes.

This issue isn’t unique to Nigeria. South Africa, another African giant with a relatively strong sports culture, also struggles to convert its potential into Olympic success. While commendable in certain events, the country’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics still falls short of what one might expect from a nation with such resources and talent. The problem lies in systemic inefficiencies, including the mismanagement of funds, lack of development programs, and inconsistent support from sports federations.

This phenomenon can be observed globally as well. India, a country with over 1.4 billion people, also underperforms at the Olympics relative to its size. Like Nigeria, India faces similar challenges: inadequate sports infrastructure, poor talent development pathways, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. These parallels underscore a broader issue affecting large, populous nations where the potential for Olympic greatness exists, but systemic failures prevent it from being fully realized.

In the African context, the situation is exacerbated by the allure of better opportunities abroad. Athletes from Nigeria, Kenya, and other African nations are increasingly choosing to represent countries that offer superior training facilities, financial incentives, and professional management. This trend not only diminishes the talent pool available to African nations but also reflects a deeper problem: until these systemic issues are addressed, Africa will continue to lose its brightest stars to nations that recognize and nurture their potential.

Overcoming Challenges: A Testament to Resilience or a Sign of Systemic Failure?

The stories of African athletes overcoming tremendous odds are both inspiring and troubling. They inspire because they showcase the incredible tenacity and spirit of these athletes, who refuse to be limited by their circumstances. Take South Africa’s Jo-Ane van Dyk, who won a silver medal in javelin despite receiving no financial support from her national federation. Her story is one of personal victory, but it also reflects a systemic failure to support talent. How many potential medalists has Africa lost because they lacked the resources or support to compete?

While we celebrate the resilience of athletes like van Dyk, it’s crucial to recognize that such resilience should not be a prerequisite for success. The onus is on African governments and sports federations to provide the infrastructure and funding necessary to nurture talent from a young age. Unfortunately, the reality in many African nations is that corruption often diverts much-needed funds away from sports development, sending resources to other, often less essential, areas. In other cases, the infrastructure simply isn’t in place—whether due to poor planning, lack of investment, or a failure to prioritize sports as a key area of national development. The triumphs at the Paris Olympics should serve as a wake-up call: imagine the possibilities if these athletes were fully supported by their nations. Persistent underfunding and mismanagement of sports programs across the continent not only undermine the athletes but also do a disservice to the nation and the continent at large.

Breaking New Ground: Africa’s Expanding Athletic Horizons

It was not all doom and gloom for Africans at the recently concluded games. The 2024 Paris Olympics were also significant for the way they showcased the expanding horizons of African athletes. Kaylia Nemour’s historic gold in gymnastics marks a groundbreaking achievement, not just for Algeria but for the entire continent. It signals that African athletes are beginning to excel in sports traditionally dominated by other regions, broadening the scope of African excellence on the global stage.

Similarly, Tatjana Smith’s dual medals in breaststroke challenge the stereotype that African athletes are only dominant in running. Her achievements, alongside the success of fencers Mahmoud Elsayad and Fares Ferjani, highlight the growing diversity of Africa’s sporting talent. But these victories also underscore the need for broader support structures to ensure that African athletes can continue to compete—and win—on the world stage. 

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The Paris Olympics have shown that African athletes possess immense potential, not just as competitors but as champions capable of excelling across diverse sports. Yet, these successes often come in spite of systemic challenges, not because of a supportive environment. If African nations are to fully harness this potential, there must be a concerted effort to invest in sports infrastructure, address corruption, and provide consistent support to athletes from a young age.

The triumphs we witnessed in Paris should serve as a wake-up call. African athletes have proven their capabilities with limited resources—imagine what could be achieved with full support. As we celebrate these victories, we must also commit to creating a future where every African athlete has the opportunity to succeed on the global stage, backed by a system that nurtures their talents and eliminates the barriers that currently hold them back.