The 2024 Paris Olympics has dished up some rather exciting achievements as the women from Africa performed at the highest standard and broke barriers, showing why they are the best athletes on the continent.
South Africa’s golden girl Tatjana Smith was again a force to be reckoned with in the pool as she swam her way to the gold medal in the 100m Breaststroke. There was a high hope that she would follow that win up with another in the 200m but she brought home a commendable silver medal on the night.
Jo-Ané van Dyk was the surprise package and added to South Africa’s medal tally with her silver in the Javelin competition.
One country that is leading the way with women being their top medal winners is Kenya. The East African nation ended the games as the best-placed country from the continent with seven female medal winners in 17th place. Algeria was 39th as they managed to win two gold medals, South Africa is the third-best team from the continent sitting at 44th spot.
Faith Kipyegon led the line for the athletes of Kenya as she picked up the coveted gold in the 1500m race. This is quite a feat as Kipyegon was forced to only start her season on 14 June 2024 due to a hamstring injury. Not only did she win a medal but also her time was a season best.
Kipyegon also won a silver medal in the 5000m which was won by compatriot Beatrice Chebet who was also a gold medal winner in the 10,000m event.
Mary Moraa picked up a bronze medal in the 800m which saw her better her finish from the Tokyo Olympics where she qualified for the event’s semi-finals in 2020. Debutant Faith Cherotich won the second bronze medal for Kenya in the 3000m Steeplechase.
The 20-year-old has been slowly cementing her name as one of the top stars of long-distance running and she certainly put herself on the map with her third-place finish in the race. Hellen Obiri ranked third in Sunday’s Marathon and won bronze for her efforts.
Kaylia Nemour picked up one of Algeria’s two gold medals, she came out on top in Artistic Gymnastics on the Uneven Bars she walked away with a well-deserved gold medal. This was a first for her country as they had never won a medal for gymnastics. Boxer Imane Khelif who showed she was a true champion in the boxing ring as well as out of it captured gold in the final against China’s Yang Liu in the 66kg category.
Ethiopia bagged silver medals via Tigst Assefa who was second over the line in the Marathon, while Tsige Duguma bagged a podium finish in the 800m race.
Sara Ahmed of Egypt, won the country’s solitary medal as she secured a silver medal in the 81 kg category in weightlifting. Peruth Chemutai of Uganda won a silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase but could not defend her title which was won by Winfred Yavi of Bahrain.
Main Photo Caption: The 2024 Paris Olympics has dished up some exciting achievements by African women performing at the highest standard. Pictured is Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet claiming gold in the women’s 500m final. Photo: OlympicsKe on X
Photo 3 Caption: Compatriot Faith Kipyegon claimed the Women’s 5000m Olympic silver medal. Photo: OlympicsKe on X
Photo 3 Caption: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif emerged as a true champion of the Games, winning gold against China’s Yang Liu in the 66kg final. Photo: Imane Khelif on Facebook
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