Ronke and Florence Olarinoye made history at the ongoing National Sports Festival (#GatewayGames2024) in Ogun State, becoming the first known mother-daughter pair to win weightlifting medals for the same state — and on the same podium. Competing for Lagos State, their triumph is not just athletic but generational.
Ronke Olarinoye, the seasoned lifter, clinched gold and silver medals in the women’s 59kg category, reinforcing her long-standing dominance in national competitions. Her performance drew admiration not just for the weights she lifted, but for the powerful symbolism of standing beside her own daughter on the winners’ stage.
Florence Olarinoye, aged just 16, stepped into her mother’s world with grace, lifting her way to two silver medals in the fiercely contested 49kg category. Though new to the festival spotlight, Florence’s discipline has already marked her as a promising star in Nigerian weightlifting.
Balancing her budding sports career with academics, Florence returned to Lagos on May 25, 2024, to sit for her remaining WAEC examinations — a reminder of the unique dual pressures young Nigerian athletes face. Her departure from camp drew praise for prioritizing education while still delivering elite-level performance.
Spectators and fellow athletes at the festival were moved by the rare image of two generations sharing a podium, united not just by blood but by a shared love for sport and state. Photos of their medal moments have since gone viral, capturing hearts across social media and fueling conversations on legacy, motherhood, and resilience.
The Olarinoye name is no stranger to Nigeria’s weightlifting scene. Ronke’s elder daughter, Adijat Olarinoye, is a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, making the family’s dominance in the sport even more compelling. With Florence now emerging, the Olarinoyes appear to be building a dynasty of champions.
As #GatewayGames2024 continues, the story of Ronke and Florence offers more than athletic results — it’s a powerful narrative of maternal mentorship, generational excellence, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter, lifting each other to greatness in every sense of the word.
