By Joe Apu
A total of 84 athletes have been listed by the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Sports Ministry to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, starting today.
This contingent will participate in 12 sports, marking a significant representation for Nigeria on the global stage.
The delegation is notably dominated by female athletes, including robust squads for both soccer and basketball. Athletes will also compete in athletics, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, taekwondo, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, and swimming.
According to Tony Nezianya, Press Officer for Team Nigeria, who confirmed the athletes have started moving from their training base in Germany to the Games Village in Paris. The national female soccer team, the Falcons, have relocated to Bordeaux for their football events, which will take place in cities outside Paris.
This is just as the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony are set to kick off soon, promising a schedule full of thrilling sporting events. The highly anticipated Games will officially commence tonight July 26, and continue through Sunday, August 11, although some team events have already begun on July 24.
In a groundbreaking move, the opening ceremony will take place on the Seine River, which flows through the heart of Paris. This unique setting is expected to make it one of the most ambitious Olympic opening ceremonies ever attempted. The closing ceremony, featuring a parade of flags and athletes, will occur on August 11.
Over 10,000 athletes will sail down the Seine on Friday, showcasing what organizers promise to be a dynamic and distinctly French affair. The 2024 Olympics aim to “revolutionize” the Games while remaining accessible to a broad audience. The event is expected to captivate over a billion viewers worldwide. The opening ceremony will be historic, marking the first time it will be held outside a stadium. Athletes will parade in boats along the Seine, with the flotilla starting at 7:30 p.m. local time. An estimated 94 boats will travel the nearly four-mile route, with delegations and performers joining the athletes on the river. Around 10,500 athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committees will participate in the Games.
As Paris prepares to host the Olympics for the first time in a century, years of meticulous planning will culminate in a spectacular celebration that aims to leave an indelible mark on Olympic history.