As well as the usual high turnout in the track and field events. There are African competitors in sports including Judo, Table Tennis, Canoeing, Equestrian, Swimming, BMX biking and the modern pentathlon.
Africa will be represented at the games with the continents countries making up 39 of the nations competing in London 2012.
I would say Ethiopia, and Kenya have the best chance of winning the most medals at the Olympics. Their athletes are phenomenal, their Olympic programs run deep and they rule the long and middle distance events. South Africa has the biggest squad going to the London Olympics.
South Africa is a sports mad country and this is reflected in their squad, which numbers over 130 athletes.South Africans qualified in field hockey, shooting, swimming, track and field (and of course boast World 800m Champion Caster Semanya in their ranks), bmx, rowing, canoeing, archery, cycling and fencing. In London, the South African team has a potential shot around 12 medals which they hope to get in the swimming, cycling and rowing events.
Ghana has 4 boxers and 3 athletes (2 sprinters and a long jumper called Ignatius Gaisah who is a medal contender, although has failed to jump his best this year. The boxers (the Black Bombers) are hoping to continue their success, kick started by Cuban coach, Roberto Ibanez Chavez, in 2008, who managed to turn boxing around for Ghana.
Kenya is one of Africa's most successful sporting nations in the world and their Olympic squad is made of almost 80 members including more than 30 track and field athletes. They've also got swimmers, a rower, boxers and a Taekwondo competitor. Kenya is expected to win several medals especially in the long distance running races. The marathon should yield several medals, both Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany swept the London marathon in
April, so the athletes are well prepped.
Ethiopia has a great chance of winning several gold medals. Kenenisa Bekele is healthy and will lead his talented team mates and aim for gold in both 5000 m and 10000 m events. Whilst Nigeria will send 31 Athletes (13 men and 18 women) most of them in track and field. Female sprinters to watch out for include Blessing Okagbare, Gloria Asumnu, Christy Udoh and Lawretta Ozoh. Male athletes with a medal chance include hurdler Amaechi Morton and Tosin Oke in the triple jump. Shot putter Vivian Chukwuemeka is also a strong medal contender.
Somalia is sending 2 athletes to the London Olympics. The athletes train in a dilapidated stadium, ridden with bullet holes in northern Mogadishu, they are runners Samsam Mohamed Farah and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed. "Diet, equipment and facilities remain the biggest problems even after al Shabaab were ousted last year ( Source; Somali Olympic Committee (SOC) ).
Zimbabwe, is sending 13 athletes to the Olympics. Kirsty Coventry is Zimbabwe's biggest medal hopeful, she won 3 medals in Athens (2004) and 4 medals (one gold and three silver) in Beijing (2008).
Special Mentions must also go to Mali and Libya who have overcome political turmoil to send squads to the games.
Lets hope for a successful games for all the African competitors. Come on Africa its your time to shine !
Ben (Kwesi)
Twitter: @kwesitheauthor | @creativafr