African Athletes Shine in 2024: Girmay, Chebet and More

African athletes look back on unforgettable achievements as 2024 concludes, having etched their names into sporting history. Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay made waves at the Tour de France, breaking barriers and winning multiple stages including the green jersey. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, African athletes achieved remarkable feats with Kenya topping the continent’s medal table. Beatrice Chebet won the 5,000m and 10,000m golds and Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour became the first African gymnast to win a medal in artistic gymnastics.

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo set a new African sprint record, winning the men’s 200m gold while South Sudan celebrated its Olympic basketball debut. In the Paralympics, Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili continued her dominance while Mariam Eniola Bolaji from Nigeria became the first African to win a Paralympic medal in badminton. In football, Ivory Coast’s national team triumphed at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, defying expectations after a coach change with Sebastien Haller scoring crucial goals.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman earned African Footballer of the Year honors after a stellar season while Barbra Banda of Zambia was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. On the athletics front, Ruth Chepngetich broke the women’s marathon world record in Chicago and Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha set a new half marathon world record. In combat sports, Francis Ngannou’s comeback in MMA was deeply emotional after the tragic loss of his son while Dricus du Plessis emerged victorious in a UFC battle against Israel Adesanya.

South Africa enjoyed success in rugby, winning the Rugby Championship and Pieter-Steph du Toit earning World Rugby Player of the Year. However, the country’s cricketers faced heartbreak, finishing as runners-up in both men’s and women’s T20 World Cup finals. In tennis, South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane won Wimbledon’s wheelchair doubles title while Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur struggled with injuries.