Launching into action today, Team Nigeria is participating in six events as the athletics segment of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games gets underway, according to reports from NewsNow.
Expectations of medal success for Nigeria at the Games are primarily pinned on the track and field events. The spotlight is on high jumper Temitope Adeshina, the women’s discus trio of Ashely Anumba, Chioma Onyekwere, and Obiageri Amaechi, shot put thrower Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and the mixed 4x400m relay team. They are all set to compete in the first round of their respective events at the Stade de France.
Debuting at the Games, Adeshina, the indoor and outdoor national record holder and three-time national champion, will participate in the women’s high jump qualification event scheduled for 9:15 am.
With a personal best of 1.97 m, meeting the final qualification standard, the 25-year-old will be in Group B alongside 31 other jumpers in the qualifiers. Securing a place in the final hinges on replicating her earlier mark in Paris or ranking among the top 12 performers in the qualifiers.
The evening session will feature further action, including former African champion Anumba, Commonwealth Games participant Onyekwere, and African Games title-holder Amaechi competing in the women’s discus throw.
Reflecting on her maiden Olympic experience, Amaechi stated that being part of the historic trio from Nigeria is a dream come true and a testament to their collective hard work.
Looking ahead, Amaechi expressed her commitment to giving her best performance, acknowledging the uncertainties but embracing the opportunity to materialize her training efforts into results on the field.
In the men’s shot put event, two-time African Championships winner and African Games medalist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will be vying for a place in the final.
Over on the track, the mixed 4x400m relay team will be competing in Heat 2 of their event, facing stiff competition from nations such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, Ireland, the Dominican Republic, and Italy.
This marks Nigeria’s second appearance in the mixed relay event following their debut in Tokyo 2020. The top three countries in the heat will secure automatic qualification for the final scheduled for Saturday.