African female athletes aim for Olympic medals in Paris

FILE - Kenyan runners Mary Moraa, right, Sarah Moraa, second from right, and Lilian Odira, center, fight for the lead in the women's 800-meter final during the Kenya Athletics Olympic Trials at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, June 14, 2024. Azenaide Carlos, left, and Eliane Paulo of Angola celebrate a goal during a women's handball match between Angola and Netherlands, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 25, 2024, in Paris. Netherlands won 34-31.

The 2024 Olympics begin Friday, with more than 10,000 athletes gathering in Paris dreaming of winning gold, silver or bronze. Among them will be dozens of women from African countries, many of whom have overcome major social and economic challenges to get to Paris.