By Milcah Tanimu
Tobi Amusan has been named the flagbearer for Team Nigeria at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Tony Nezianya, Nigeria’s Olympic Committee (NOC) spokesperson, announced on Tuesday that Anuoluwapo Opeyori, Africa’s top badminton player, will be the captain of Team Nigeria at the Games.
Amusan, a track and field athlete, is the first to be named Nigeria’s Olympic flagbearer since Mary Onyali in 2004. At 27, Amusan holds the world record in the women’s 100m hurdles and is one of Nigeria’s brightest medal prospects in Paris. Despite an impressive career that includes a world championship in 2022, multiple Diamond League trophies, and Commonwealth Games gold medals, an Olympic medal has eluded her. She aims to overcome the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished fourth in the final race.
Anuoluwapo Opeyori, 26, is an experienced athlete who has represented Nigeria since 2017. He is the reigning champion in the men’s singles event of the African Championships and African Games and competed at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The 2024 Olympics will commence on July 26. Team Nigeria will be represented by 86 athletes participating in 12 sports.
