| Nigeria at the 2004 Summer Olympics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| IOC code | NGR |
| NOC | Nigeria Olympic Committee |
| Website | www |
| in Athens | |
| Competitors | 72 in 10 sports |
| Flag bearer | Mary Onyali-Omagbemi[1] |
| Medals Ranked 68th |
|
| Summer Olympics appearances (overview) | |
Nigeria competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29 August 2004. This was the nation's thirteenth appearance at the Olympics, except the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, because of the African boycott. Nigerian Olympic Committee sent a total of 72 athletes, 24 men and 48 women, to the Games to compete in 10 sports. For the first time in its Olympic history, Nigeria was represented by more female than male athletes. Women's basketball and women's football were the only team-based sports in which Nigeria had its representation at these Games. There was only a single competitor in men's freestyle wrestling.
Fifteen athletes from the Nigerian team had previously competed in Sydney, including five football players from the women's squad and Olympic silver medalist Enefiok Udo-Obong in the men's 4 × 400 m relay. At age 36, sprinter Mary Onyali-Omagbemi became the first Nigerian athlete to compete in fifth Olympic Games, while table tennis players Segun Toriola and Bose Kaffo followed Onyali's footsteps to fulfill their fourth Olympic bid in Athens. For being the oldest and most experienced athlete of the team, Onyali reprised her role to carry the Nigerian flag in the opening ceremony for the second time since 1996.[1]
Nigeria left Athens with only two Olympic bronze medals, all from the men's 4 × 100 m relay (led by Deji Aliu) and 4 × 400 m relay teams (led by Udo-Obong).[2]
- ^ a b Odigbo, Uzur (21 July 2004). "Ministry approves new Olympics role for Onyali". Biafra Nigeria World. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- ^ "Athens 2004: Nigeria takes Bronze in 4×400 relay". Naija.net. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2014.