Athletics: The three best African female sprinters in 2024
Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith: The Queen of African Sprinting
At 35, Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith continues to reign over African sprinting. The Ivorian shone again in 2024, notably with a victory at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational in the 100m in Kingston, achieving a time of 10s91 . Despite her age, she beat renowned opponents, such as Jamaicans Krystal Sloley and Kemba Nelson . Named flag bearer for Côte d’Ivoire at the Paris Olympics , Ta Lou confirmed her talent by winning her heats and beating the legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce . However, an injury in the final prevented her from reaching the podium.
She made a remarkable comeback in September, winning the Meeting Athlos in the United States with a time of 10.98 seconds . This list of achievements adds to her titles as vice-world champion in 2017 and her multiple titles as African champion.
Jessika Gbaï: The rising star of Ivory Coast
At just 25 years old, Jessika Gbaï is the Ivorian sprint hopeful. In 2024, she had a breakthrough year by reaching the 200m final at the Paris Olympics , marking her debut on the world stage. Her qualification for the Olympics follows her victory in the 200m at the 2023 Francophone Games in Kinshasa. Gbaï also shone at the 2024 African Championships in Douala, winning gold in the 200m with a time of 22.84s .
In April of the same year, she broke the Ivorian national 400m record with a time of 51.94s . Gbaï represents the future of sprinting in Côte d’Ivoire, and the whole country is counting on her to continue to shine on the international stage.
Gina Mariam Bass Bittaye: Gambian Pride
Gina Mariam Bass Bittaye , the 29-year-old Gambian sprinter, retained her title as African champion in 2024. At the African Championships in Douala , she won gold in the 100m with a time of 11.14s , confirming her supremacy on the continent. She also imposed herself at the African Games in Accra, winning gold in the 100m and 200m with times of 11.36s and 23.13s respectively .
Gambia’s flag bearer at the Paris Olympics , Bass Bittaye did not win an Olympic medal, but 2024 remains a remarkable year for her, marked by decisive victories on the African stage.
Conclusion
In 2024, African tracks were once again dominated by exceptional women. Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith continues to reign despite her age, Jessika Gbaï embodies the next generation of Ivorian sprinting, and Gina Mariam Bass Bittaye remains the undisputed queen of Gambian sprinting. These athletes marked the year with their exceptional performances and continue to inspire future generations in the field of athletics.
