Paris 2024: Historic leap for Africa as Algerian gymnast clinches Olympic gold

Paris 2024: Historic leap for Africa as Algerian gymnast clinches Olympic gold

Festus Chuma 23:15 - 04.08.2024

A 17-year-old from Algeria made history by winning Africa's first Olympic gymnastics gold in the women's uneven bars final.

Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics becoming the first African gymnast to secure an Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics.

The 17-year-old prodigy claimed gold in the women's uneven bars final in a significant milestone not just for her career but for the continent as a whole.

Nemour, who had already shown potential by topping the qualification scores, exceeded expectations with a breathtaking final routine.

Scoring an impressive 15.700, she executed a series of complex release-and-catch maneuvers that captivated the audience and judges alike.

"I'm so shocked, it's the dream of all my life. I can't believe it has happened, I'm speechless," Nemour exclaimed after her victory.

This monumental win provided Algeria with its sixth Olympic gold medal since it first competed in Tokyo in 1964.

It was a significant moment, especially considering the country had not seen Olympic gold since Taoufik Makhloufi's victory in 2012 at London.

Born in Saint-Benoit-la-Foret, France, Nemour switched allegiances to represent Algeria, her father’s homeland, after a dispute with France's gymnastics federation regarding her return following a knee injury.

Her decision to compete for Algeria added a poignant layer to her victory, emphasizing a triumphant return to international competition on her own terms.

The final results saw Nemour top the reigning world champion, Qiu Qiyuan of China, who scored 15.500, and American gymnast Sunisa Lee, who took bronze with a slightly lower score.

"In qualifying, I had 15.600. When I saw her (Qiu's) 15.500, I really had to fight and gave the performance of my life. It's crazy, I'm honoured to have this medal after all that has happened, it's a relief," she recounted.

The competition was intense, with Belgium’s Nina Derwael, the defending Olympic champion, finishing just outside the medals in fourth place.

However, the day belonged to Nemour, whose victory not only rewrote the record books but also signaled a new era for African gymnasts on the global stage.

Last year, Nemour became the first African to claim a world championship medal in gymnastics when she took silver in the uneven bars final in Antwerp.

Her historic performance in Paris, improving upon her previous world stage achievements not only celebrates her personal triumphs but also heralds the arrival of African gymnasts in the arena of world-class competition.

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