Day 14 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will indeed go down in the annals of African sport as the day that marked the biggest medal haul for the continent since the Games began, with four medals awarded in various disciplines, testifying to the rise of African athletes on the world stage.
Senegal sets the pace
The first medal of the day went to Senegal, a historic achievement for this West African country. With strong determination, young fencer Ibrahim KEITA overcame formidable opponents to reach the podium, winning a bronze medal in men’s individual sabre. The medal ceremony was a proud moment for Senegal and heralded a promising future for African fencing.
Egypt Shines in Wrestling*
A few hours later, Egypt added another medal to its list of achievements, this time in Greco-Roman wrestling. Mohamed El-Sayed, the African champion, asserted his talent by winning silver in the 87kg event. After an impressive tournament, El-Sayed faced a fiercely contested final and lost to his Russian opponent. Nevertheless, this silver medal further positions Egypt as a leading wrestling nation on the continent.
Morocco Triumphs in Athletics*
The evening continued with yet another medal for Morocco. Fatima Zahra EL IDRISSI raised high the colours of her country with a bronze medal in the women’s shot put. With a throw of 19.56 metres, she delivered an outstanding performance, especially in the face of stiff competition. This medal is all the more significant as it confirms Morocco’s presence in the technical disciplines of athletics, a field in which the country has been keen on distinguishing itself for several years now.
Côte d’Ivoire Brilliantly Completes Medal List
To round off this historic day, Côte d’Ivoire claimed a gold medal in taekwondo. After his disappointing performance in Tokyo, Cheick Sallah CISSÉ won this time in the under 80kg event. His journey was marked by a series of clear-cut victories, and in the final, CISSÉ dominated his South Korean rival with his impressive technical mastery. This gold medal, the first for Côte d’Ivoire at the Games, is a major achievement for Ivorian taekwondo.
Africa on the Rise
Africa has confirmed its steady progress at the Games by winning four medals in a single day, with each medal telling a story of perseverance, resilience and passion. This day will be remembered as a turning point for the continent, proving that Africa is ready to compete with the best sports nations in the world. The stunning performances of these athletes have inspired not only their home countries but the entire African continent, raising hopes for an even brighter future for African sport on the international stage.
