To celebrate our African brothers and sisters, here are 15 African athletes you should keep an eye on during the games.
1. Team Côte d’Ivoire: Murielle Ahouré, Track & Field
On the off chance Ahouré isn’t training for the 100m, she’s posing in front of the camera. The Ivorian beauty is artist as she is athlete.
Instagram: @Murielleahoure
2. Team Nigeria: Seye Ogunlewe, Track & Field
Dubbed as “Nigeria’s fastest man,” Ogunlewe social media gives you an inside look into the life of the athlete.
Instagram: @Ogunlewe_seye
Twitter: @Seyeogunlewe
3. Team South Africa: Seabelo Senatla, Rugby
A winger for the South African national Rugby team, catch Seabelo’s first match Aug. 9th against Spain.
Twitter: @Seabelo_Senatla
Instagram: @Seabelo_senatla
4. Team Jamaica: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Track & Field
The world renowned runner has made a name for herself internationally when in 2008 she became the first Caribbean woman to win gold in the 100m at the Olympics. All eyes are on Fraser again.
Instagram: @Realshellyannfp
Twitter: @Realshellyannfp
5. Team Ghana: Sean Safo-Antwi, Track and Field
Marking his entrance to his first Olympics, Ghana’s Sean Safo-Antwi petitioned to be transferred from representing Great Britain to represent his home country.
Twitter: @SeanSafo
Instagram: @Seansafo
6. Team Tunisia: Wael Jallouz, Handball
A veteran to the Olympics having made his debut at London’s 2012 games, Jallouz hopes to bring home a medal for Tunisia in handball. Earlier this year, the Tunisian won the European Handball Championship league playing for FC Barcelona.
Instagram: @waeljallouz_42
7. Team Senegal: Amy Sène, Track and Field
The African record holder in the hammer throw, on Sène’s off time she slays the internet.
Instagram: @Amy_sene
Twitter: @Amyyse
8. Team USA: Ibtihaj Muhammad, Fencing
The first athlete to represent that United States in a hijab, Ibtihaj’s Olympic run is one to watch. Lucky for us, Ibtihaj takes pictures along the way.
Instagram: @ibtihajmuhammad
Twitter: @IbtihajMuhammad
Snapchat: ibtihajjj
9. Team Ethiopia: Tirunesh Dibaba, Track & Field
Tirunesh is the current World and Olympic 10,000 metres champion. She will be joined by her sister Genzebe Dibaba, the current world record holder for the 1500m.The stunning sisters are recognized names internationally, track power houses and players to watch this Olympic games.
Facebook: Tirunesh Dibaba
Twitter: @Tirudibaba
10. Team: Zimbabwe: Gabriel Mvumvure, Track & Field
A sprinter, Mvumvure has represented his country at five world championships. Watch as Mvumvure trains and gears to compete in the men’s 100m.
Twitter: @GabrielMvumvure
Instagram: @Gabrielmvumvure
11. Team Ghana: Gemma Acheampong, Track & Field
Running as part of Ghana’s 4×100 Relay team, Ghanaian-American Gemma is also a Multimedia Storyteller and Social Media strategist. You can follow her blog Actively Gemma here.
Instagram: @Fearthefall
Twitter:@FeartheFall
Snapchat: @fearthefall
12. Team USA: Simone Biles, Gymnastics
A three-time world champion, 1984 Olympic gold-medalist Mary Lou Retton has said Biles is the top gymnast in history.
Instagram: @SimoneBiles
Twitter: @simone_biles
13. Team Botswana: Nijel Amos, Track & Field
Amos won Botswana’s first ever Olympic medal, when he won Silver in the 800 meters in the 2012 London Summer Games and hopes to medal again four years later.
Instagram: @Nijel_zoro_amos
Twitter: @Amosnijel
14. Team Equatorial Guinea: Reïna-Flor Okori, Track & Field
Reïna-Flor Okori, a hurdler for Equatorial Guinea gives you an inside look into her fitness journey and regimen to the Olympic games.
Instagram: @Reinaflorokori
Facebook: @Reinaflor.okori
15. Team Jamaica: Usain Bolt, Track & Field
No list would be complete without a cameo by the world’s fastest in the world. Bolt will play his luck as he hopes to snag gold in the 100m, and 200m and 4×100 relay.
Instagram: @UsainBolt
Twitter: @UsainBolt
Snapchat: ugoboss1919