Africa’s journey at the 2024 Olympics: Evaluating triumphs and challenges

By Colin Coleman

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have come to a close, and while there were some spectacular performances from African athletes like Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, South Africa’s Tatjana Smith, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, and others, it’s time to reflect and ask some important questions about the overall results.

Despite these incredible achievements, the entire continent, with a population of 1.5 billion, secured only 13 gold medals – the same number as South Korea, a country with just 51 million people. In total, African nations brought home 39 medals, which is fewer than Italy’s 60 million citizens managed to achieve.

How did Australia, with a population of 27 million – less than half of South Africa’s – manage to win 18 gold medals (compared to South Africa’s 1) and 53 total medals (compared to South Africa’s 6), placing them 4th overall?

Is there a connection between a nation’s Olympic success and its human and economic development? Consider that Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP), with historically similar natural and human resources, stands at US$1.4 trillion, while South Africa’s GDP is just US$0.4 trillion. Although South Africa’s population is more than double that of Australia, its economy is over 3.5 times smaller, and its total Olympic medal count is around nine times lower.

Looking within Africa, where the continent’s total GDP is US$3.1 trillion, the results were inconsistent. Kenya, with 4 golds and 11 total medals, outperformed many, while Nigeria failed to secure a single medal. Major African economies like South Africa and Egypt clearly have room to improve.

A comprehensive analysis is needed, one that involves global, African, and national governments and sports bodies. This analysis should uncover the root causes of Africa’s underperformance and lead to an action plan that addresses these issues. This plan should involve necessary institutional and organizational reforms and the investment of both human and financial resources.

To our sports stars, I ask: what are the solutions? What should we be doing differently to better support our future athletes?

Africa, and countries like South Africa, possess vast human talent, a climate ideal for sports, and the potential to significantly improve performance in future Olympic Games.

For me, and for millions of others around the world, watching the Olympics was an absolute joy. Let’s hope that our African athletes and the indomitable human spirit will shine even brighter in Los Angeles 2028.

Congratulations to all our remarkable African athletes. Your spirit is unstoppable! Can we unite in a medal-winning campaign to target 100 medals for African athletes and nations in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games?

Colin Coleman is a South African banker, academic, and thought leader based in Johannesburg. He is renowned as a significant voice on national and African issues, having played a pivotal role in shaping events that impact South Africa and the continent.