Paris 2024: Kaylia Nemour, da Pina, Egypt and Nigeria make waves

Gymnastics: Kaylia Nemour, gold and history

A stunning achievement from Kaylia Nemour. At just 17, the Algerian won gold in the uneven bars at the 2024 Olympics. After finishing 5th in the all-around, she regrouped to post a score of 15.700 that nobody could match. It gave her the first Olympic title of her career, and also the very first in gymnastics for Algeria and for the whole of Africa. She finished ahead of China's Qiyuan Qiu, who scored 15.500, and America's Sunisa Lee, who got 14.800.

Boxing: David da Pina, Cape Verde's first medal

A historic medal for Cape Verde. David da Pina was competing for a place in the final of the -51kg boxing tournament, but his run ended in the semi-finals. The Cape Verdean lost to Uzbekistan's Hasanboy Dusmatov. His hopes of gold are gone, but he can take consolation from a bronze medal. By reaching the semi-finals, he is automatically guaranteed bronze, as boxing is one of the few Olympic disciplines that award a bronze medal to both semi-final losers. That makes David da Pina the very first Olympic medallist in Cape Verde's history.

Handball: Egypt into the quarter-finals

Egypt continue to assert their supremacy in men's handball. The Pharaohs reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 Olympics by beating Argentina 34-27, a crucial win that secured them third place in their group. Thanks to a solid defence and an efficient attack, Egypt dominated the Argentines. Their next challenge is Spain, a formidable opponent standing between them and a place in the semi-finals.

Women's basketball: Nigeria turn it around

Historic! Nigeria pulled off a monumental feat in women's basketball by reaching the quarter-finals after a spectacular win over Canada, 70-79. The victory is a landmark, as it is the first time an African team has reached this stage of the Olympic basketball tournament. The game was marked by an impressive comeback from the D'Tigress, who combined defensive strategy with offensive efficiency. A mountain now looms in front of them: the USA, for a place in the semi-finals.

Canoe slalom: Bourhis and Jemai go out on the cusp of the quarter-finals

It is the end of the road for Senegal's Yves Bourhis and Tunisia's Salim Jemai in canoe slalom. Both were eliminated just before the quarter-finals. Despite their efforts and solid performances in the qualifying rounds, the Senegalese and the Tunisian failed to reach the quarter-finals. Even so, their participation and performances put the African presence in this demanding discipline in the spotlight.

Men's 100m: the Simbine curse

Disappointment for South Africa's Akani Simbine, who finished fourth in the men's 100m final in 9.82 seconds, setting a new national record but narrowly missing out on a medal. America's Fred Kerley, who finished third, clocked 9.81 seconds, edging out Simbine. It is the third time Simbine has finished fourth in an Olympic final. Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, for his part, finished sixth in 9.86 seconds, also a new national record. Tebogo showed impressive progress and remains a prospect for future competitions.

Men's 110m hurdles: Louis François Mendy into the semi-finals

Senegal's Louis François Mendy shone, winning his heat in an impressive 13.31 seconds. The performance takes him into the semi-finals, where he hopes to build on that form.

Women's 200m: Gbai and Ofili deliver

Ivorian Jessika Gbai finished second in her 200m heat in 22.61 seconds, qualifying for the semi-finals. Her compatriot Maboundou Koné will have to go through the repechages to have a chance of qualifying. On the Nigerian side, Favour Ofili cruised through her 200 m heat, winning it and posting the second-best time of all the heats. Her place in the semi-finals makes her one of the medal favourites.