Algerian teenager Kaylia Nemour wept tears of joy as she became the first African athlete to win an Olympic gymnastics medal with gold on the uneven bars in Paris, outshining several big names in the competition and registering her country’s first medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The 17-year-old French-born athlete’s breathtaking routine wowed the crowd in at the Bercy Arena on Sunday and helped her bag the title ahead of China’s Qiu Qiyuan, with Team USA’s Sunisa Lee snatching bronze. Defending Olympic uneven bars champion Nina Derwael of Belgium finished fourth.
Nemour was under pressure after Qiyuan posted a score of 15.500 with an immaculate routine, but the rising star of gymnastics outperformed the Chinese gymnast with an exceptionally difficult routine to finish with a score of 15.700.
The Algerian’s fast-paced routine, featuring a number of complex release-and-catch manoeuvres, delighted the crowd.
As soon as she landed, Nemour was in tears, knowing she had perhaps done enough to land her country’s first-ever gold in gymnastics and first medal of the Paris Olympics.
‘Performance of my life’
Emotions ran high for the young gymnast when her triumph was confirmed and she draped herself with the Algerian flag before stepping up to soak in the applause.
“I’m so shocked, it’s the dream of all my life. I can’t believe it has happened, I’m speechless,” said Nemour.
“In qualifying I had 15.600, when I saw her 15.500 I said, I really had to fight and gave the performance of my life,” said the Algerian.
“It’s crazy. I’m honoured to have this medal after all that has happened. It’s a relief.”
Nemour has competed for Algeria since last year after a dispute with the French gymnastics federation, but found plenty of support at the Bercy Arena.
She switched to represent her father’s country after the French federation blocked her from competing on medical grounds after a dispute.
Fans roared and jumped to their feet as soon as Nemour completed her dismount.
Belgium’s Derwael, the champion at the Tokyo Games, finished 0.034 of a point off the podium.
OUR CHAMPION 🇩🇿🥇
Kaylia Nemour wins the gold medal in the Women’s Uneven Bars to give Algeria its first medal at the #Paris2024 #Olympics
Algerian women continue to make us proud every single day ! pic.twitter.com/ImWzidZ0xZ
— Algeria FC (@Algeria_FC) August 4, 2024
