African Athletes Making Waves at the 2024 Summer Games

Dear Silverbacks Community,

Welcome to this special edition of IN THE VALLEY, where we bring you exciting updates and detailed insights into the remarkable achievements of African athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their successes on the global stage are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and talent. As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, we must also ask: What will it take to ensure that these successes are just the beginning of a new era for African athletes on the global stage?

?In this issue, in addition to their triumphs we’ll also explore both the increasing trend of African athletes choosing to represent other countries and the critical steps needed to further enhance their performance globally.

African Athletes Leading the Charge

First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes who participated in the Olympics 2024. We are thrilled to showcase the remarkable performances of African athletes who have made their mark on the global stage, as illustrated in the below medal tally:

A special mention of all athletes who bagged a gold medal showcasing the promising future of Africa in the Sports sector:

In total, the continent secured 39 medals—comprising 13 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze—spread across 12 nations, with Kenya leading the charge with 11 athletes standing on the winner’s rostrum. This represents an increase of two medals compared to the tally in Japan three years ago, though it falls short of the 45 medals won at Rio 2016.

This achievement is commendable, but it also raises an important question: What strategies can be implemented to further improve our athletes' performance ahead of Los Angeles 2028?

Surprise Discoveries and New Names

The 2024 games saw several African athletes who made their Olympic debut and performed commendably, a few noteworthy appearances include:

• Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) - Gold in Men's 200m, Silver in 4x400m Relay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Aq6gKVFHQI

• Kaylia Nemour (Algeria) - Gold in Women's Uneven Bars at just 17 years old

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMSxWuV7D3g

• Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) - Gold in both Women's 5000m and 10000m

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB8X-HRF7qQ

South Sudan’s Historic Debut

The South Sudanese basketball team made a stunning debut at this year’s Olympics. They captured global attention not only with their narrow pre-Olympic game loss to the USA? (101-100) but also with their commendable performance throughout the Games. The team made history by securing their first win against Puerto Rico, 90-79. Though they were unable to overcome powerhouses USA (103-86) and Serbia (96-85), ranked 1 and 4 respectively by FIBA , their effort was truly inspiring.

The African Mark Across The Greater Diaspora

The African mark across the greater diaspora is undeniable, with descendants of Africans excelling in various Olympic sports. From basketball to gymnastics and running races, the legacy of African athletes shines bright. In the realm of Greco Roman wrestling, Mijain Lopez, an Afro Cuban, stands out as the only athlete to have secured gold five consecutive times.

Combatting Brain Drain in Sports

We all have heard how the NBA star Joel Embiid had three options to choose from to represent internationally - USA, France, or Cameroon. Embiid ultimately chose Team USA in these Paris 2024 Olympics.

It's important to note that the trend of African athletes representing other countries continues to grow. Many athletes, driven by better support systems and opportunities abroad, switch nationalities to compete under different flags. This phenomenon is evident across various sports, For instance, the French judo team as well as many that went on to win the mixed-team judo final along with several other European teams had several athletes who were of African origin.

?Aside from North American and European teams, many nations have also seen athletes of African descent opting to represent them and go on to win medals. For example, Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, who previously competed for Kenya, and Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, who represented Nigeria before competing for the USA, both secured medals at the Olympics. Yavi cited Kenya’s competitive environment and lack of support as reasons for her switch, while Echikunwoke’s decision was influenced by issues with Nigeria’s athletic federation. These cases underscore the urgent need for improved sports structures across the continent to retain top talent.

While these individual stories highlight the need for better support, they also point to broader systemic challenges that must be addressed if we are to retain and nurture Africa's top talent.

Challenges and Opportunities: Improving African Athletic Performance

While we celebrate these incredible successes, it’s also essential to address the challenges that cause the “brain drain” of African athletes and the opportunities for improving the performance of African athletes on the global stage. A multifaceted approach is required to mitigate these issues, involving infrastructure development, cultural change, better governance, and stronger support systems.

1. Investment in Infrastructure

One of the significant challenges for African athletes is the lack of adequate sports infrastructure. This gap affects their preparation and performance in international competitions. Addressing this requires a coordinated effort to improve and expand sports facilities across the continent. Ensuring access to high-performance training centres, similar to those found in countries like the United States, can significantly enhance athletes' readiness and success.

2. Early Talent Development

The nurturing of athletic talent from a young age is crucial for sustained success. Many African countries lack robust systems for identifying and developing young athletes. By integrating sports into the educational system and providing consistent training opportunities, we can build a pipeline of talent better prepared for international competitions.

3. Cultural Shift Towards Valuing Sports

Cultural attitudes that do not prioritize sports can hinder the early development and long-term success of athletes. A cultural shift is needed to integrate sports into daily life and education, fostering an environment that supports athletes from the grassroots level. This includes changing perceptions of sports as a valuable profession and increasing youth participation in sports.

4. Government and Private Sector Collaboration

There is a pressing need for collaboration between governments and the private sector to support sports development. This includes creating incentives for private investment, ensuring effective use of resources, and fostering a culture that values sports. Such collaboration is key to developing a sustainable environment for athletic success .

Looking Ahead: The Future of African Athletics

Despite the challenges, we take immense pride in our athletes who represent not only their countries but the entire African continent on the global stage. The future of African athletics is bright, but only if we continue to build on these foundations. Now is the time to act—whether by investing, supporting, or simply spreading the word. At Silverbacks, our mission is to support and elevate as many African athletes as possible through our initiatives, and we eagerly anticipate their continued success.

As part of this mission, Silverbacks Holdings has recently invested in NERGii, a South African sports-tech firm. NERGii’s groundbreaking performance-enhancing shoe innersoles are designed to naturally activate mitochondria, boosting energy and performance for both recreational and professional athletes. This strategic investment not only aligns with our mission to drive growth in Africa’s sports industry but also positions us to help NERGii expand its impact across the continent and beyond.

Noteworthy Collaboration

This newsletter has been published in collaboration with the podium pursuit platform which is a ground-breaking initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of athletes from Africa by enabling them to compete at the highest levels on the world stage, through a new sustainable funding model. It also aggregates all African athletes and permits to track their performance.

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