Africa saw a slight improvement in its performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning 39 medals, which is two more than at Tokyo 2020.
However, this was still fewer than the 45 medals won at Rio 2016. To do better at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Africa needs to address several key issues.
One of the biggest challenges is funding. African athletes often lack the financial support and world-class facilities available in wealthier nations.
For example, the UK team received over £245 million for the Paris Olympics, a sum far beyond what most African countries could spend.
Nigerian badminton player Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori believes that governments should release more funds and encourage the private sector to support athletes, as without serious government involvement, private companies won’t take athletes seriously either.
Egypt, which won just two medals in Paris, could be a sleeping giant in African sports. The country has invested billions in sports complexes and is considering a bid to host the Olympics in the future.
Hosting the African Games in 2027 could be a stepping stone to developing a new generation of medal contenders.
Specializing in specific sports could also help African countries improve their Olympic performance. Botswana, for instance, won its second consecutive medal in the men’s 4x400m relay, with South Africa and Zambia also making it to the final.
Focusing on certain disciplines could yield better results, as shown by South Korea’s dominance in archery at the Paris Games.
Africa needs to work on identifying and nurturing talent from an early age to truly compete on the world stage. While some African athletes have chosen to represent other countries due to better financial support or living conditions, improving the quality of life and training in Africa could help retain more talent.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Africa’s prospects in new sports like squash and T20 cricket look promising, but the continent will need to overcome significant challenges to make sweeping advancements.
As South African swimmer Tatjana Smith retires after winning four medals in the last two Games, new talents like teenage sprinter Bayanda Walaza offer hope for the future.
According to BBC Sport Africa, the biggest challenge for Africa remains early talent identification, nurturing that talent, and ultimately helping athletes reach their full potential.
The next four years will be crucial in addressing these issues to improve Africa’s performance on the global stage.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/c4gdwy72ee5o