Kaylia Nemour’s historic Olympic victory in gymnastics is a monumental achievement for both Algeria and Africa.
Her dedication and skill on the uneven bars earned her a well-deserved gold medal, marking her as the first African gymnast to reach such a pinnacle at the Olympics.
This triumph is not just personal but also a testament to the support and opportunities provided by the Algerian Federation.
Nemour’s success has resonated deeply with her compatriots, garnering widespread acclaim and recognition from the highest levels of government.
Her journey reflects a blend of her French training and Algerian heritage, embodying the spirit of excellence and unity in sports.
She has been widely embraced by Algerians, on social media, on public television, and in newspapers. Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune called her to congratulate her on her performance.
“I don’t think about it,” said Nemour, whose father is of Algerian descent. “I won this medal for myself and Algeria. I represent Algeria. France is behind me. I turned the page.”
Nemour’s coach, Marc Tcherlinko, said the medal belonged to the Algerian Federation, which helped ensure the gymnast had the opportunities to travel for competition and best prepare for the Olympic Games.
Nemour, who had been favourite to claim gold, was still in complete disbelief after the competition.
“I can’t believe this has happened,” Nemour said after winning her first gold medal at a major global competition. “This is too much. I have no words.”
Nemour was up after Chinese teenager Qiu Qiyuan, who had also executed a spectacular routine to briefly top the standings with 15.500 points.
“When I saw her result of 15.500 points, I told myself that I would need to fight,” Nemour said. “I re-focused quickly and got the best mark of my life, and it was the right time to get it.”
The Algerian Olympic Committee issued a statement calling Nemour a legend.
“You showed the world the strength and determination of Algeria with your wonderful victory,” the statement said.
American Sunisa Lee who captured her second consecutive Olympic bronze could be seen cheering for Nemour throughout her routine.
“I was aiming for the third place because I wanted Kaylia to win, just because she’s so incredible,” Tokyo Games all-around champion Lee said after winning her sixth Olympic medal.