By By Muminat Ajide
Despite Nigeria not securing any medals at the 2024 Olympics, several players with roots in the country played for other nations and won some medals. From gold in shot put to silver in football and hammer throw, these athletes showcased their talent on the global stage.
Below is the list of Nigerians who won medals for other countries:
1. Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany): Gold in Women’s Shot Put
Yemisi Ogunleye contested in the shot put and won the gold medal. She was born to a German mother and a Nigerian father, marking Germany’s first gold in the event since 1996. However, Chukwuebula Enekwechi, also born in America but representing Nigeria, participated in the men’s category and finished sixth.
2. Annette Echikunwoke (USA): Silver in Women’s Hammer Throw
Annette Echikunwoke, a former Nigerian hammer thrower who represented Nigeria in 2020, competed for the United States in the women’s hammer throw at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She threw 75.48 meters, securing second place in the event. Her silver medal was the first Olympic medal for the U.S. in the women’s hammer throw event.
3. Samu Omorodion (Spain): Gold in Men’s Football
Samuel “Samu” Omorodion Aghehowa, a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Atlético Madrid, represented Spain in the 2024 Olympics and won gold in the football competition. Samu was in negotiations to transfer to Chelsea FC; however, a £34.5m deal for him fell through due to contractual issues.
4. Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain): Silver in Women’s 400m
Salwa Eid Naser, a Nigerian-born athlete, won silver for Bahrain in the women’s 400m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Rasheedat Adeleke, another athlete of Nigerian descent representing the Republic of Ireland, finished fourth.
5. Michael Olise (France): Silver in Men’s Football
Michael Olise, born in England to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, represented France. He made his debut against Paraguay, scoring two goals a week later in a friendly against the Dominican Republic. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he scored again in France’s 3–0 victory over the United States, ending the tournament with two goals and five assists.
6. Paola Egonu and Oghosasere Omoruyi Loveth (Italy): Gold in Volleyball
Paola Egonu and Oghosasere Omoruyi Loveth, both with Nigerian roots, represented Italy in volleyball at the Paris 2024 Olympics and won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s volleyball, defeating the United States.
7. Femi “Bam” Adebayo (USA): Gold in Basketball
Femi “Bam” Adebayo, born to a Nigerian father, represented the American basketball team and secured a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. He also won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic basketball games.
8. Victoria Ohuruogu and Yemi Mary John (Britain): Bronze in Women’s 4x400m Relay
Victoria Ohuruogu and Yemi Mary John, with Nigerian roots representing Great Britain, won a bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
9. Eziyoda Magbegor (Australia): Bronze in Basketball
Eziyoda Magbegor, born to Nigerian parents, led Australia to a bronze medal finish in the women’s basketball event at the Paris Olympics.
10. Chiaka Ogbogu (United States of America): Silver in Basketball
Chiaka Ogbogu, born to Nigerian parents, represented the United States women’s basketball team and won a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics.
