Africa's figures and expectations for 2024

As the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games takes place this Wednesday, there will be no fewer than 4,400 athletes, representing a total of 182 delegations taking part in the festivities and competitions. Among them, 44 delegations come from the African continent for only 314 athletes who will nevertheless try to bring back as many medals as possible and do as well as the 63 medals collected at Tokyo 2020.

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In total, they will compete in the disciplines for which they have qualified. Cecifoot, para-athletics, para-cycling, para-weightlifting, para-judo, para-canoe, para-Taekwondo, table tennis, wheelchair tennis, swimming, sitting volleyball, goalball, para-triathlon and Rowling will be on the menu. An opportunity for the general public to discover some of these disciplines and for African athletes to try to win medals.

Defending champions and medals eagerly awaited

First and foremost Ntando Mahlangu. Crowned Olympic champion in 2021 in Tokyo, the South African had splashed the long jump competition by breaking the world record with a jump of 7.17m. It is with this status of defending champion that he arrives in Paris. Another great hope for medals, Raoua Tlili. At 34, the Tunisian, who has four Olympics to her name and four gold medals, hopes to complete her list of achievements with new medals in the discus and shot put. Same story for Samir NouiouaThe Algerian veteran, gold medallist in Beijing and London in the 800m, hopes to finish in style for what could be his last Paralympic Games.

Another veteran, the Nigerian Flora Ugwunma will try to live up to her status. At 40, the double Paralympic javelin champion will be competing in her favourite event, but also in the shot put. Her compatriot Folashade Oluwafemiayo (39 years old), reigning Olympic champion in para weightlifting (women, +86 kg) will also try to preserve her crown. Triple Paralympic champion, with a resounding double in Rio 2016 in the 1500 and 5000m, the Kenyan Samwel Mushai Kimani will try to repeat the feat.

Some examples among others that symbolize the potential of the continent, despite the limited means that these athletes often have throughout their season. Not enough to undermine their morale and ambitions, with the 63 medals won by the African continent in Tokyo in their sights, why not, try to reach again the 100 medal mark that was reached and even exceeded in previous editions.

African delegations to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

• Egypt: 54 para-athletes
• Morocco: 38 para-athletes
• South Africa: 32 para-athletes
• Tunisia: 30 para-athletes
• Algeria: 26 para-athletes
• Nigeria: 23 para-athletes
• Rwanda: 13 para-athletes
• Kenya: 13 para-athletes
• Mauritius: 6 para-athletes
• Namibia: 5 para-athletes
• Cameroon: 5 para-athletes
• Uganda: 4 para-athletes
• Senegal: 4 para-athletes
• Ethiopia: 4 para-athletes
• Ghana: 4 para-athletes
• Libya: 3 para-athletes
• Ivory Coast: 3 para-athletes
• Angola, Botswana, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, DR Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe: 2 para-athletes
• Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Niger, Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo: 1 para-athlete