Nigeria's Olympic flagbearer will be Hurdler Amusan.

Tobi Amusan © Gallo Images

Nigeria's sports ministry announced on Tuesday that Tobi Amusan, the world record sprint hurdler, will represent his country as the flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

After Mary Onyali carried the flag during the 2004 Athens Games, Amusan is the first athlete to receive the honor in 20 years..

The general team captain will be badminton player Anuoluwapo Opeyori, according to the Nigerian Olympic Committee.

"Tobi Amusan and Anuoluwapo Opeyori have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to their sports," Nigerian Sports Minister John Enoh said in a statement.

"Their leadership will be invaluable to Team Nigeria as we strive for success at the Paris 2024 Olympics."

Amusan, 27, was only cleared to participate in the Paris Olympics in June, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed appeals against the decision to clear her of a doping offense..

She was charged in July 2023 with failing three anti-doping tests in a 12-month period, but was cleared of the charge by World Athletics' disciplinary tribunal.

At the 2022 world championships in Eugene, Oregon, Amusan set the world record for the 100 metres hurdles in 12.12 seconds and went on to win the title.

She is currently the Commonwealth and African champion in that competition.

In 2019, Opeyori won the African Championships and African Games in the singles category. He also won gold in the men's singles at the 2023 African Games and silver in Accra.

His first Olympics were scheduled for Tokyo in 2020.