Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye made headlines at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning the gold medal in the women’s shot put, marking Germany’s first victory in the event since 1996. On Friday, August 9, Ogunleye clinched the title with a final throw of 20.00 meters, surpassing her competitors in a thrilling showdown at the Stade de France.
Ogunleye, whose father is Nigerian and mother is German, delivered a remarkable performance that outshone New Zealand’s Maddison-Lee Wesche, who earned silver with a personal best of 19.86 meters. China’s Song Jiayuan secured the bronze with a throw of 19.32 meters.
Initially, Wesche appeared to have a firm grip on the gold after her impressive fifth throw, but Ogunleye’s final attempt sealed her victory, earning her a place in Olympic history. This achievement adds to Ogunleye’s growing list of accolades, which include a silver medal at the 2024 World Indoor Championships and a bronze at the European Championships earlier this year.
The competition saw a mix of emotions, as Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Gong Lijiao of China finished fifth, and the USA’s Jaida Ross narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. Ogunleye’s victory was celebrated with pride as she draped herself in the German flag, marking a significant moment for German athletics.
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