World record-holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, has been chosen as Nigeria’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, set to take place on the River Seine on Friday. This announcement was made by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Sport on Tuesday morning.
Tony Nezianya, the press attaché for Team Nigeria, also confirmed that Anuoluwapo Opeyori of the badminton team has been appointed as the general captain of Nigeria’s contingent for the Paris Games.
Amusan, who holds the world record in the 100m hurdles, is one of Nigeria’s top medal prospects. Earlier this year, she clocked a world-leading time of 12.40 seconds with a 0.9m/s wind, showcasing her strong form heading into the Olympics. She narrowly defeated two-time world champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica, who finished with a time of 12.46 seconds.
Anuoluwapo Opeyori is an experienced badminton player who has represented Nigeria since 2017. The 26-year-old won the African Championships and African Games singles event in 2019 and also competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. As the general team captain, Opeyori will provide leadership and guidance to the Nigerian team in Paris, leveraging his international experience to inspire his teammates.
The appointments of Amusan and Opeyori reflect the high expectations Nigeria has for its athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games. Both athletes have demonstrated their prowess on the global stage and are poised to lead Nigeria’s quest for glory in Paris.