July 23, (THEWILL) – Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in 100 metres hurdles, has been selected to carry Nigeria’s flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Nigerian sports ministry announced this decision on Tuesday, making Amusan the first athletics team member to receive this honour in two decades.
The Nigerian Olympic Committee also appointed badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, as the general team captain. Sports Minister, John Enoh, praised both athletes for their exceptional dedication and commitment to their sports, expressing confidence in their leadership for Team Nigeria.
Amusan’s participation in the Paris Olympics was confirmed in June after the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed appeals against her clearance of a doping offence. The 27-year-old hurdler had been charged with missing three anti-doping tests within 12 months but was cleared by a World Athletics disciplinary tribunal.
The Nigerian athlete set the current 100 metres hurdles world record of 12.12 seconds at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where she also clinched the world title. Amusan holds the Commonwealth and African championships in this event.
Opeyori, who will be attending his second Olympics, has an impressive track record in badminton. He won gold medals in singles at the African Championships and African Games in 2019, as well as at the 2023 African Games. His first Olympic appearance was at Tokyo 2020.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
