With just five days to go, the clock is ticking, the atmosphere is frenetic, and excitement is palpable as showmanship and calisthenics set the stage for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Team Nigeria is in top spirits as it prepares to fly its colors at this quadrennial sporting showpiece of global attention.
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has stated that his aspiration is for Team Nigeria to surpass its best Olympic outing achieved at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.
Nigeria’s contingent encompasses talented and world-class athletes who are set to take the world by storm. With several months of preparation and training, athletes such as Oluwatobiloba Amusan, Ese Brume, Blessing Oborodudu, the two Favours (Ashe and Ofili), Odunayo Adekouroye, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Aruna Quadri, among other names too numerous to mention, the nation flies to Paris with strong hopes. Senator Enoh has called for Nigerians to throw their weight behind the nation throughout the Games.
“Our athletes are putting in tremendous effort and dedication in their preparations,” said Senator Enoh. “We are confident that with the support of every Nigerian, our team will excel and make the nation proud.”
Following the domestic camping exercise, the contingent proceeded for foreign camping to acclimatize, focus, and step up preparations to another level. The Super Falcons camped in Spain, while the other athletes opened camping in Saarbrucken, Germany.
Senator Enoh has also prioritized the welfare of athletes, demonstrated by the increase in bonuses and allowances payable to athletes. “The entire 100 million naira contributed by the Federal House of Representatives will be given to the athletes,” he announced. “Additionally, domestic camping allowances, foreign training grants, foreign training allowances, Olympic Games allowances, and winning bonuses will be given to ensure our athletes are well-supported.”
Nigeria is scheduled to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024. A total of 88 athletes will represent the nation in 12 different sports.
“Let’s unite in support of our athletes as they embark on this remarkable journey,” Senator Enoh concluded. “Our aspiration is not just to participate but to excel and bring home the medals.”
