Kenya leads the way
As so often, Kenyan athletes have assumed their status as continental reference at the Olympic level, confirming a domination over other African countries. Kenya won a total of 13 medals, including 6 gold and all in athletics. In the 800m, David Rudisha achieved a spectacular time of 1'42 .
His compatriot Eliud Kipchoge won the marathon with a race completed in 2h08'44 among the men. On the women’s side, Kenya once again dominated the race, winning thanks to Jemima Jelagat Sumgong who completed the course in 2 hours 24 m 04 s. Faith Kipyegon won the 1500m in 4:08.92 for the women, as did Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot in the 5000m with an impressive time of 14m 26s.17. Finally, Conseslus Kipruto flew over the 3000m steeplechase finishing at 8:03.28. 
South Africa, carried by a Wayde van Niekerk record holder
With 10 medals won, Africa was the second most decorated African country at the Rio 2016 Olympics. The country managed to bring home two gold medals, thanks to Wayde van Niekerk who set the world record in the 400m with a time of 43.03s, a performance that remains unmatched to date and makes him one of the 10 African athletes with a world record. Caster Semenya was also phenomenal, flying over the women’s 800m in 1'55'28.
Cheick Cissé is making history with Côte d'Ivoire
These Olympic Games in Rio were also the occasion of revelation for some countries and athletes, such as Cheick Cissé who put Côte d'Ivoire on the Olympic map with his gold medal in Taekwendo (-80kg) thanks to his victory against the British Lutalo Muhammad. Her compatriot Ruth Gbagbi also won bronze in the women’s (-67kg) category.
Moreover, the Tunisian Mawra Amri who won bronze in wrestling became the first African athlete to achieve this feat, as did her compatriot Ines Boubakri in fencing. Ethiopia on its side was able to count on Almaz Ayana who won the women’s 10,000m in 29:17:45 to pocket his only gold medal.
In football, Nigeria finished on the podium with a 3-2 win against Honduras to take the bronze medal including a double from Sadiq Umar, today in Valencia.
The table of medals for African countries at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Kenya: 13 (6 gold)
South Africa: 10 (2 gold)
Ethiopia: 8 (1 gold)
Egypt: 3
Tunisia: 3
Algeria: 2
Côte d'Ivoire: 2 (1 gold)
Niger: 1
Morocco: 1
Nigeria: 1
Burundi: 1
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À propos de l'auteur
Philemon MBALE
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.