23 athletes to represent Nigeria as Paris Paralympics begins

The 2024 Paris Paralympics commenced with a colourful opening ceremony at the Place de la Concorde on Wednesday. 

Over the next week, over 4,000 athletes worldwide will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports at the 17th edition of the Paralympics.

At the opening ceremony, competing athletes were introduced to the fans, and the flags of their respective countries flew high.

Team Nigeria also participated in the radiant parade of athletes. The contingent was led by Lauritta Onye, Nigeria’s flagbearer at the competition.

Nigeria will be represented by 23 athletes at the Paralympics: five in athletics, two in badminton, nine in powerlifting, and eight in table tennis. Seven coaches and five medical personnel will assist the team.

Nigeria debuted at the Paralympics in 1992 and has amassed 80 medals — 40 gold, 19 silver, and 21 bronze — thus far.

By contrast, the country has won just 27 Olympic medals despite making its first appearance in 1952.

The Paris Paralympics will be held from August 28 to September 8.

Nigeria hopes that its para-athletes will go on another medal rush to exorcise the bad taste of the just-concluded Paris Olympics, where the country failed to win any laurels.

In a statement, John Enoh, the sports minister, urged the athletes to restore Nigeria’s pride on the global stage.

“Our para-athletes have always been a source of inspiration and pride for Nigeria. I have no doubt that they will make us proud again in Paris. We are all behind them, and we are confident that they will exceed expectations and bring home numerous medals,” he said.

The minister added that the athletes are well prepared to give their best performance in Paris.