Muzala Samukonga delivered a historic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, earning Zambia's first Olympic medal in 28 years with a bronze in the men’s 400 meters. In front of a 69,000-strong crowd at the Stade de France, the 21-year-old set a new national record, crossing the finish line in 43.74 seconds.
Samukonga's remarkable achievement came in one of the most competitive 400-meter finals in Olympic history, where, for the first time, five athletes finished the race in under 44 seconds. Quincy Hall of the United States claimed the gold with a personal best of 43.40 seconds, while Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith took silver, setting a new European record at 43.44 seconds.
Zambia’s last Olympic medal was won by Samuel Matete at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he secured silver in the men’s 400-meter hurdles. Samukonga’s return to the Olympic podium has reignited national pride, earning him accolades from across the country.
President Hakainde Hichilema was among the first to congratulate the young athlete, expressing the nation's pride in his accomplishment. "We have our Olympic medal! Congratulations Muzala Samukonga. Your performance at the Paris Olympics fills us with immense pride," the president said in a post on X.
Samukonga’s bronze medal not only represents a personal triumph but also marks a significant moment in Zambia’s sporting history, bringing hope and inspiration to a new generation of athletes in the country.
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