By Felicia Udeji
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Team Nigeria has exited the 2024 Paris Olympics empty-handed, leaving a nation of 200 million in deep disappointment.
Nigeria’s hopes for a medal at the games dimmed on Friday when the 4x400m relay team, despite finishing in second place, was disqualified. The referee ruled against Team Nigeria after one of its members impeded a South African athlete during a changeover.
Similarly, sprint icon Tobi Amusan failed to make it to the final of the women’s 100m hurdles as she finished in third place, clocking a time of 12.55s, which was also not enough to see her qualify as one of the best losers.
Reacting to the outcome of the games, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has labelled Team Nigeria’s performance in the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics as a ‘disaster’.
The minister made this known in a statement on X.com on Saturday.
According to Enoh, Team Nigeria’s failure to secure any medal at all “is a product of very many other things that need immediate attention.”
He revealed that not only would he ensure that such does not repeat itself, but that in the forthcoming sports federation elections, he would ensure that the most appropriate candidates are voted in.
He said, “Yesterday, I met with gentlemen of the press at the Nigerian Embassy in Paris for a press briefing following the country’s participation in the 2024 Olympics. As we go back home, we must do everything to prevent future occurrences of the Paris disaster and if this will entail the review of how people are elected to lead our sporting federations, it will be done.
“The elections for the federations are around the corner, and it will be the perfect platform to get only those who are most eligible to lead the various sports federations.
He added that contrary to speculations, the ministry made adequate provisions, financially and otherwise, to prepare the athletes for the Olympics.
“We did everything as a ministry to prepare the athletes adequately and provide them with every financial support, but unfortunately, the performance did not produce any podium finish,” he said.