Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye, who is of Nigerian descent, claimed victory at the Stade de France on Friday by winning gold in the women’s shot put at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Her throw of 20 meters (65.6 feet) marked the end of a 28-year gold drought for the country in women’s shot put since Astrid Kumbernuss won gold in 1996.
“My goal coming into these championships was 20 meters,” said Ogunleye.
“That was the distance that I threw just once in Glasgow. I knew I was capable of throwing such distances. In the Olympic competitions, it is necessary to bring all the best you have because you only have this chance once.”
Prior to May 2023, Ogunleye had never thrown 19 meters nor won a national, European, or world championship medal before February 2024.
However, she left Stade de France as an Olympic champion, with two national championships, a bronze medal at the 2024 European Athletics Championships, and a silver medal at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships to her name, as noted by the 2024 Paris Olympics Official Website.
Ogunleye, who is also a gospel singer, said of her goal for the Olympics:
“Some time ago, I was just praying and asking God what he wants to do with the Olympic Games. And He was like, ‘We are going to get gold.’
Ogunleye added: “I did not have faith at that moment. But He kept on telling me. It sounds literally crazy, but I have seen it in front of my eyes, and I really started to have faith and the confidence that it is possible.”
The 25-year-old from southwestern Mannheim in Germany beat Maddison-Lee Wesche, who threw a personal best of 19.86 meters, and Jiayuan Song of China (19.32 meters), while Ogunleye’s German teammate Alina Kenzel from Stuttgart came ninth (18.29 meters).
Though she faced challenges off the pitch, experiencing racism due to her Nigerian background, she said her faith kept her strong. “God’s love changed me,” she told local broadcaster SWR before the Olympics.
“He is an important pillar in my life. Whatever happens, God holds my hand and takes all the pressure away.”
