THOSE LIKELY TO TAKE THE TOP PLACES ON THE PODIUM IN PARIS

AFRICA'S MEDAL HOPEFULS AT THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES.

- Nick Said

Africa will be striving to come back from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with precious metals in their pocket in the form of gold, silver and bronze.

The Games will be staged from July 26 to August 11 and among the 10,500 athletes taking part, there are many from the African continent who will be genuine medal contenders. We select 10 who could be on the podium in Paris.

JOSHUA CHEPTEGEI UGANDA

The 27-year-old took gold in the 5,000 meters and silver in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo Games three years ago and has maintained that form since, especially at the longer distance where he remains ranked at number one in the world. He won the gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year, always a strong indicator for Olympic form. He holds the world record over both distances.

PIETER COETZE SOUTH AFRICA

Coetze recently turned 20 and is Mthe rising star of South African swimming after claiming five DE gold medals at the national swimming championships in April. He has qualified for the 100-meters and 200-meters backstroke in Paris having claimed gold (100 meters), silver (50 meters) and bronze (200 meters) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and secured another bronze in the 200 meters at this year's World Aquatic Championships in Doha. He will hope for a podium place at the Olympics.

SOUFIANE EL BAKKALI MOROCCO