The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports Development, have appointed Tobi Amusan as the Nigerian flag bearer and Anuoluwapo Opeyori as the General Team Captain at the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of NOC who will serve as the Press Attaché to the team said this in a Statement on Tuesday in Awka.
Amusan was the reigning world champion in the 100m hurdles and one of Nigeria’s brightest medal prospects in Paris.
Anuoluwapo Opeyori, on the other hand, is an experienced badminton player who has been representing Nigeria since 2017.
Nezianya said as the General Team Captain, Opeyori would play a crucial role in providing leadership and guidance to the Nigerian team contingent in Paris drawing from his international experience to inspire his teammates.
“The decision to appoint Amusan and Opeyori to these prestigious positions reflects the high expectations the country has for its athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games,” he said.
Nezianya said both of them had proven their mettle on the global stage and are poised to lead Nigeria’s charge for glory in Paris.
According to him, Opeyori, 26, won the African Championships and African Games in the singles event in 2019 and also competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“Earlier this year, Amusan set a world-leading time of 12.40 seconds (with a 0.9m/s wind), highlighting her impressive form heading into the Olympics.
“She narrowly edged out two-time world champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica, who finished second with a time of 12.46 seconds,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Games will officially open on Friday, July 26 in ‘the city of love’ Paris.(NAN)