The Olympic Games are always a time of great emotion and expectation for nations around the world. For the Democratic Republic of Congo, each edition is an opportunity to shine on the international stage and demonstrate the talent and determination of its athletes. However, the recent performances of the Congolese representatives at Paris 2024 leave a bitter taste of disappointment.
With a delegation composed of six athletes competing in various disciplines such as swimming, judo, athletics and boxing, hopes were high for the DRC to finally win an Olympic medal, a feat that has eluded it since its first participation in 1968. Unfortunately, the results did not live up to expectations, with an early elimination of all Congolese athletes in the early stages of the competition.
Faced with this poor performance, many questions arise as to the reasons for this failure. Is it a lack of adequate preparation, insufficient training conditions, or simply too intense competition at the Olympic level? To find answers and understand the background to this disappointment, Congolese sports experts have spoken out.
Alain Badiashile, lawyer and Secretary General of the Congolese Olympic Committee, stresses the importance of supporting and accompanying Congolese athletes throughout their preparation for the Olympic Games. He highlights the need to invest in sports infrastructure and provide quality supervision to enable athletes to give their best during international competitions.
Barthelemy Okito, former Secretary General for Sports, stresses the importance of motivation and determination of Congolese athletes. According to him, it is essential to create an environment conducive to development and sporting performance, in order to allow Congolese talents to fully express themselves on the international stage.
Alain Makengo, lawyer and president of the Sports League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LISPED), highlights the challenges of Congolese sport and calls for in-depth reflection on the conditions of sports practices in the DRC. He stresses the need to support and promote Congolese athletes, not only to allow them to shine at the Olympic Games, but also to promote sport as a vector of development and unity in the country.
In conclusion, despite the disappointment of the results obtained at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it is essential to learn from this experience and work together to support and accompany Congolese athletes in their quest for sporting excellenceThe road to an Olympic medal for the DRC may be strewn with obstacles, but with adequate preparation, unwavering motivation and continued support, hopes of seeing the Congolese colours shine on the Olympic podium remain alive.