Despite collecting only a few meda l s a t the A t h e n s Olympics, athletes from the region and the continent showed that they have potential to excel with more resources and better preparations.

South Africa won six medals while Zimbabwe clinched three medals won by swimming sensation, Kirsty Coventry. The “traditional” regional ambassad o r, Mozambique’s 31- year-old Maria Mutola was a surprise absentee from the winners’podium, after she failed to win a medal in the 800m finals. Namibia’s 200m veteran, Frankie Fredericks, at 37 was still widely tipped to cap his Olympics retirement with a winners medal but had to be content with fourth position in the finals.

The games, which are the most prestigious sporting event in the world, brought together about 10,500 athletes from more than 200 countries, competing in 37 sporting disciplines.

Olympics Medal Table for Africa