As the 2024 Summer Olympics officially begin today, Team Nigeria, making their 19th appearance since their debut in 1952, is set to capture the spotlight with their vibrant and spirited presence.
The Games, which will run through August 11, are being held across Paris and 16 other cities in Metropolitan France, with an additional venue in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
A total of 206 nations and 10,714 athletes will compete in 32 sports and 329 events.
While some sports like football, rugby sevens, handball, and archery have already started, all eyes will turn to the Opening Ceremony, which will officially kick off the Games.
The highly anticipated ceremony, beginning at 19:30 CEST (19:30 Nigerian time), will feature a grand spectacle along the River Seine.
The event promises to be a memorable showcase of Parisian history and architecture, with the parade stretching six kilometers past iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame and the Louvre.
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Under the direction of French theatre director and actor Thomas Jolly, the Opening Ceremony will include a dazzling display of dancers on every bridge, choreographed by Maud Le Pladec, and costumes designed by Daphne Burki and her team, featuring 3,000 outfits.
The Parade of Nations will take a unique turn this year, with approximately 100 boats carrying an estimated 10,500 athletes along the river.
Flagbearers like Coco Gauff and Tom Daley will proudly represent their countries as the boats approach the Trocadero, near the Eiffel Tower, where the final protocols and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron will occur.
Nigeria’s delegation includes 88 athletes competing in 12 sports: athletics, boxing, wrestling, football, basketball, canoeing, taekwondo, table tennis, badminton, cycling, swimming, and weightlifting.
The country began its campaign on July 25 with the Super Falcons facing Brazil in their Women’s Football Tournament Group C opener at Stade Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux.
Nigeria aims to exceed their two-medal tally from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and make a strong showing in this year’s Games.