THISDAY

Females Break Barriers, Dominate 2024 Nigeria’s Olympic Team

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When the Nigerian Contingent sets sail to participat­e in the upcoming Olympic Games, tagged the ‘’2024 Paris Games’’, Team Nigeria as they are known will be dominated by the womenfolk.

It is great news that Team Nigeria will have a strong representa­tion of female athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which will run from July 26 to August 11, in Paris.

This is no doubt a testament to the growing prowess and capabiliti­es of Nigerian women in various sports.

A female athlete like Adekuoroye Adegoroye, a wrestling athlete and a talented woman in a male-dominated sport, was among the earliest to wrestle her way to an Olympic ticket.

This was followed by Elizabeth Anyanacho, Oly, a Taekwondoi­st, who has broken into reckoning as a gold medal prospect for the country if well-managed.

In Canoeing and Cycling, one athlete in each sport has secured the right to don the national colours at the Games.

In Athletics, six persons have so far picked the tickets but the females have the upper hand. The women include Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the 100 metres Hurdles event.

In women’s Basketball, Nigeria will be represente­d by a 12-member team, known as D’ Tigress, that qualified at the expense of regional arch-rivals Senegal. And in women’s soccer, the 22-member national team, the Super Falcons, have showcased their talent and earned the opportunit­y to compete at the Mundiale.

The Super Falcons secured a 1-0 win from the first leg at home in Abuja and, in the return leg a week later in Pretoria, held host South Africa to a goalless draw before their passionate home fans, thus picking the ticket.

‘’It’s wonderful to see women breaking barriers and excelling in their respective sports,’’ remarked Mary Onyali, OLY, a Silver medalist in the Olympics, who in her heyday dominated the 100, 200 and the relays.

Their achievemen­ts not only highlight their abilities but also inspire and empower other women to pursue their dreams in sports.

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