The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, which began on Liberia’s Independence Day, July 26, and will conclude on Sunday, August 11, have drawn over 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees. These competitors are battling for 329 medals across 32 sports.
The 19-day sporting spectacle spans 16 cities in France and has attracted 754 ceremonies, over 9.2 million ticket sales, more than 2 million spectators, 20,000 accredited journalists, 45,000 volunteers, and a record-breaking 23.4 million viewers on the first day through French media outlets.
The Olympic Games, which originated in Athens in 1896 and are held every four years, were last hosted by China in February 2022. The next Games are scheduled for Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
Among the 10,500 athletes competing in Paris, eight Liberians are representing their nation in six track and field events at Stade de France from August 2-10, 2024. The Liberian athletes competing are:
- Emmanuel Matadi (Men’s 100m and Men’s 4 x 100m Relay)
- Joseph Fahnbulleh (Men’s 200m and Men’s 4 x 100m Relay)
- Destiny Smith-Barnett (Women’s 100m)
- Ebony Morrison (Women’s 100m)
- Thelma Davies (Women’s 100m and 200m)
- Jabez Reeves (Men’s 4 x 100m Relay)
- John Sherman (Men’s 4 x 100m Relay)
- Akeem Sirleaf (Men’s 4 x 100m Relay)
Team Liberia Results: While Team Liberia has yet to secure an Olympic medal, they have made notable strides. In the Men’s 100-meter race, 33-year-old Emmanuel Matadi advanced to the semi-finals, scheduled for today at 20:14 CET, after finishing 4th in Round One with a time of 10.08, just behind Canadian Andre De Grasse’s 10.07. Unfortunately, Destiny Smith-Barnett, 28, and Thelma Davies, 24, were unable to continue in the Women’s 100-meter race due to hamstring injuries.
Joseph Fahnbulleh, 22, is set to compete in the Men’s 200-meter race on August 5, while Ebony Morrison, 29, will take part in the Women’s 100-meter hurdles on August 7. The Men’s 4 x 100-meter relay team, consisting of Sherman, 19, Reeves, 21, Sirleaf, 27, Matadi, 33, and Fahnbulleh, 22, will race on August 8.
As the competition progresses, hopes remain high for Team Liberia’s quest for an Olympic medal. Stay tuned as Verity’s sports reporter continues to cover their journey in the ongoing Olympic events.