By Gloria Ogbonna
Tobiloba Amusan, who holds the world record in the 100m hurdles, has become the first Nigerian athlete to earn a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Last December, World Athletics outlined the qualification process for Paris 2024, including the performance standards required from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
Amusan secured her spot during the BAUHAUS-Galan Diamond League event in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 2, by winning the high hurdles race with a time of 12.52 seconds. However, her qualification depends on confirmation at the Nigerian National Trials in 2024, where the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will choose the nation’s representatives.
The required entry standard for the 100m hurdles at the Paris 2024 Games is 12.77 seconds.
Nigerian 400m runner Ezekiel Nathaniel, who holds the national record in the 400m hurdles, earned his place at the Paris 2024 Olympics during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. He ran 48.47 seconds in the 400m heat, narrowly missing the National Record (NR). Nathaniel finished sixth in his semifinal but secured his ticket to Paris 2024. The entry standard for the 400m is 48.70 seconds.
Long jumper Ese Brume came close to confirming her spot for Paris 2024 at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, missing out by just two centimeters after jumping 6.84 meters to finish fourth in the final. Brume has previously competed in two Olympic Games and won a bronze medal at the last Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Many fans believe there’s still time for her to secure her place at the Paris 2024 Games.