African nations secured 39 medals at the Paris Olympics, spread across 12 countries, marking a slight increase from Tokyo but falling short of the continent’s 45-medal tally at Rio 2016.
Kenya led the African medal table with 11 medals, including four golds. Faith Kipyegon claimed her third Olympic gold in the 1,500m, while Beatrice Chebet won both the 5,000m and 10,000m.
However, Africa’s traditional dominance in middle-distance events showed signs of waning. Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali retained his 3,000m steeplechase title, ending Kenya’s nine-Games winning streak in the event.
Botswana celebrated its first-ever medals, with Letsile Tebogo winning gold in the 200m and anchoring the 4x400m relay team to silver.
Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei upgraded his Tokyo silver to gold in the 10,000m.
Ethiopia’s performance dipped, with their sole gold coming from Tamirat Tola in the women’s marathon.
Egypt secured just two medals at Paris 2024, with gold in the men’s modern pentathlon and silver in women’s weightlifting. However, the country’s recent investments in sports infrastructure suggest greater ambitions.
The North African nation has poured billions into state-of-the-art sports complexes, fuelling speculation about a potential bid to host the Olympics in 2036 or 2040.
Africa’s athletics performance showed a notable imbalance. Of the continent’s 24 athletics medals, only one came from a field event – South African Jo-Ane van Dyk’s silver in the women’s javelin. The rest were claimed in track events or the marathon.
Zambia celebrated a breakthrough performance as Muzala Samukonga clinched bronze in the men’s 400m final, setting a new national record in the process.
Notably, Ghana and Nigeria failed to secure any medals, while Cape Verde celebrated its first Olympic medal with David de Pina’s bronze in boxing.
The continent saw no men’s medals in field events, though South Africa’s Jo-Ane van Dyk claimed silver in the women’s javelin.
Despite individual triumphs, the overall tally suggests a potential shift in Africa’s Olympic fortunes, particularly in its traditionally strong events.
