SPORT - The African Mirror

Aug

08

2024

Paris 2024: Africa’s marathon runners gear up for the ultimate test of endurance at an Olympics like no other

SPORT

THE men’s and women’s marathons will close out the Paris Olympics and anticipation is growing ahead of what are likely to be exceptionally hard-fought events. The two races, which could go down in history as the most competitive in the 128-year marathon history will see some of Africa’s leading distance runners, deemed favourites in this category, seek to bag the majority of the medals at stake. According to World Athletics CEO, Jon Ridgeon, “The marathon is one of the highlight events at the Olympics.” “If (top Kenyan) Eliud Kipchoge wins a third gold it would be history-making.” Ridgeon, who is…

Aug

06

2024

By The African Mirror

Africa’s Olympic golden girl from Morocco

SPORT

IN a breathtaking display of skill and determination, 17-year-old Kaylia Nemour etched her name into Olympic history on Sunday, becoming the first African gymnast to clinch a gold medal. Her electrifying performance on the asymmetric bars at the Paris Games not only secured Algeria's first medal of the Olympics but also marked a watershed moment for gymnastics in Africa. Born to a French mother and Algerian father, Nemour's journey to the top of the Olympic podium is a testament to perseverance and talent. Despite facing obstacles, including knee surgeries and a complex transition from representing France to Algeria, Nemour's unwavering…

Aug

02

2024

By The African Mirror

Warriors’ Moody and Raptors quickly headline NBA players to coach top prospects at Basketball Without Borders Africa 2024

BASKETBALL

THE National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have announced 60 of the top high-school-age prospects from across Africa who will participate in the 20th edition of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp, which will be held at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) in South Africa from Saturday, August 3 to Tuesday, August 6. BWB Africa 2024 will host 60 boys and girls from 24 African countries – including five NBA Academy Africa prospects – to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside their…

Aug

02

2024

By STEPHEN GRANGER, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Paris 2024: Africa is on a marathon quest for Olympic glory in Paris

ATHLETICS

THE Olympic marathon is arguably the ultimate symbol of Olympism as envisioned by the modern Olympic founder, Pierre de Coubertin, the 2024 Olympics marathon, which will see runners battle in a 42.195 km race between Paris and Versailles, will provide a spectacular finale for the XXXIII Olympiad. The present marathon enjoys a rich history and originates in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896. At the time, De Coubertin described the Olympic Spirit as "a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind…" 128 years after Greek water carrier Spyridon…

Aug

01

2024

By STEPHEN GRANGER, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Paris 2024: Why the 2024 Olympic Games will mark a milestone for the women’s marathon

SPORT

THE women’s marathon will, for the first time in the history of the Olympics, bring down the curtain for the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, marking a gender milestone in the history of the Games. Usually, the men’s marathon provides the climax of the Summer Games and together with the Men’s 100m, is regarded as the blue riband event of the competition. But this year the gender roles have been reversed, allowing the women to take centre stage. Women’s participation in the greatest sporting event on the planet traces back to 1896 when 30-year-old Greek mother Stamata Revithi attempted to…

Jul

31

2024

By OLIVER OCHIENG, BIRD STORY AGENCY

10 Olympic Games records held by Africans

SPORT

THE 2024 Olympic Games are in full swing in Paris, France, with athletes from across the globe giving their all to claim medals in over 300 sporting disciplines. The games that started on Friday, July 26 will see the curtain come down on August 11, 100 years since France last hosted the Olympic Games in 1924. The event will close with the women's marathon - which is likely to be won by African woman. Throughout the Olympic journey, African athletes have consistently made the continent proud with their unforgettable and record-breaking performances. From the early days of the Games to…

Jul

30

2024

By The African Mirror

South Africa wins Africa’s first gold at the Olympics

SPORT

AFRICA'S first gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics came from the swimming pool where South Africa's Tatjana Smith came first in the 100m breaststroke, ahead of strong competition. The gold was Smith's second in successive Olympic Games. She brought home gold in the same event at the Tokyo Olympics. She delivered a superb come-from-behind victory, turning fourth before a powerful push over the final 50m to win in 1min 05.28sec, beating China’s Qianting Tang (1:05.54) and Mona McSharry of Ireland (1:05.59). A jubilant Smith dedicated her gold to her supporters. "I swam for everyone that’s been there for me, that’s…

Jul

30

2024

By STEPHEN GRANGER, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Road to Paris: South Africa’s rising women marathoners will be chasing Olympic glory in Paris

ATHLETICS

AS athletes arrive in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, South African distance-running talent Cian Oldknow is hopeful she will transcend a recent setback, harnessing the unwavering energy of her supporters with the promise of Olympic glory. Following the old African proverb ‘It takes a village…,’ twenty-seven-year-old Oldknow was surprised and heartened to see and hear her supporters, dubbed 'Cian’s Army,' along the route of the Durban International Marathon, which doubled as the South African Marathon Championships in late April. “That was a complete surprise, but it certainly gave me a boost,” said Oldknow after breaking the tape in record…

Jul

27

2024

By WYCLIFFE W. NJORORAI SIMIYU

Faith Kipyegon is set to make Olympics history – what Kenya needs to do to keep producing athletes like her

ATHLETICS

KENYAN running star Faith Kipyegon is considered one of the greatest 1,500m athletes the world has ever seen. If she wins her third consecutive Olympic gold in Paris, she’ll become the first athlete in the history of the event to achieve this feat, male or female. She holds world records in the 1,500m and one-mile events and is a former world record holder in the 5,000m. Kipyegon is a shining example of Kenya’s global dominance in distance running. But, as a scholar who researches East African sports, her success raises a crucial question: how can Kenya ensure a flow of…

Jul

26

2024

By STEPHEN GRANGER, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Road to Paris: Marathon contenders from Tanzania, Uganda, and Lesotho aim to upset legendary Ethiopians and Kenyans

SPORT

WITH the countdown to the Paris Olympics entering its final stretch, most attention in the marathon event remains focused on the formidable marathon talents of Kenyan, Ethiopian, and South African runners. However, athletes from other African nations could have a significant impact in Paris. Tanzania is gearing up to challenge its northern rivals with hopes pinned on its leading marathoners. Gabriel Geay clocked an impressive 2:03:00 in Valencia in 2022, and Magdalena Shauri ran 2:18:41 in Berlin in 2023. The duo head the list of Africa's top marathon contenders outside the world-leading Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes. Two other Tanzanian qualifiers…