For Kaylia Nemour, her golden moment at the Paris 2024 Olympics wasn’t a mere personal triumph, it was a historic breakthrough for Algeria and a defining moment for African sports. At just 17, Nemour (Instagram) became the first African gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal, stunning the world with her grace, power, and determination. Her journey, however, was far from straightforward and is marked by passion, resilience, and a tale of two countries.
Born in 2006 in Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt, France, Kaylia Nemour grew up in a household that valued movement, energy, and dreams. “I had a joyful childhood surrounded by loving parents who always supported me,” she says. Her parents, her father Algerian, her mother French, recognizing her boundless enthusiasm and innate sense of rhythm, decided to channel it into something special. “My older sister was already doing gymnastics when I was born. As a little girl, I was always active and on the move, which led my mum to enrol me as well. Seeing how much I enjoyed it, she encouraged me to keep going,” she says, recalling her first steps into the world of gymnastics.
Her early memories of the sport remain vivid and formative, “Being young, gymnastics was just fun for me, but as time went on, I started wanting to improve and aim for a higher level,” she says. “I’ve always been a part of the Avoine Beaumont Gymnastics Club. This club feels like family, and I’m so happy to represent it in competitions. My daily routine at the club is training in the morning, then school, and back to the gym in the afternoon until evening. That’s how we prepare for competitions.” It wasn’t long before her passion transformed into drive, and her natural aptitude began to shine through. Coaches quickly noticed her potential, and Nemour rose swiftly through the ranks. The Club, though, would be at the centre of a storm in the coming years.
By the time Nemour began competing in national events, her dedication was already yielding results. Her early career was marked by rapid success and a growing reputation as one of French gymnastics’ brightest talents. In 2019, she made waves at national and international competitions, winning all-around gold at the French Championships for her age group and dominating events like the Mediterranean Championships, where she took multiple titles, including gold in the all-around and uneven bars. Her standout performance on the uneven bars earned her gold at the Elite Gym Massilia, cementing her status as a rising star.
Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaylia Nemour returned to competition in 2020 stronger than ever. She claimed the junior all-around title at the French Test Meet and continued to shine at team events, contributing to multiple victories for her club. In 2021, her dominance on the uneven bars was unmatched, winning the French Championship title even against senior competitors. These accomplishments laid the foundation for her historic rise on the global stage. Her success wasn’t just about medals—it was a validation of the hours of hard work, the sacrifices, and her fierce belief in her abilities. But as she celebrated these milestones, Nemour’s journey soon took an unexpected turn.
The rift between Nemour and the French Gymnastics Federation that would lead to her donning Algeria’s colours stemmed from a power struggle over training arrangements leading up to the Paris Olympics. What began as a dispute over training sites escalated into allegations of overtraining, heated exchanges, and an 18-month administrative inquiry.
The issue began in 2021, when the French gymnastics federation imposed a mandate requiring Olympic hopefuls to train exclusively at two national centres—Vincennes, near Paris, or St.-Étienne in south-eastern France. This move disrupted the training plans of several elite gymnasts, including Nemour, who trained in Avoine. For Nemour, leaving her hometown was unthinkable.
Complicating matters, in 2021 Nemour was diagnosed with advanced osteochondritis, a condition linked to stress on the joints. Her surgeon performed bone grafts on her knees to enable her return to high-level gymnastics. While the condition is not uncommon among gymnasts, the federation raised concerns about overtraining, citing allegations against Nemour’s coaches, the Chirilcencos, for pushing young athletes too hard. The coaches denied these claims. The inquiry, which concluded in late 2023, found the federation guilty of “hounding” Nemour’s home gym in Avoine.
“Stopping gymnastics for a long period was hard, but I knew it was the best way to return pain-free. Although the time passed quickly, some moments were tough, especially watching my friends compete. I understood why I needed to do it, though. I had previously competed for France, but after my surgeries, although my surgeon approved a gradual return, the French Federation’s doctor didn’t allow me to compete again, without even assessing me. They also wanted me to transfer to INSEP or Saint-Étienne to train for the Olympics, but I didn’t want to leave my environment. With major competitions approaching, I had the option to compete for Algeria due to my dual nationality, and I decided to take it,” Nemour says with a sense of true clarity. Algeria beckoned.
Her perseverance paid off, and the experience only solidified her resolve to chase her dreams. In 2023, perhaps inspired by the difficulties with the Federation, though she’s quiet on this, Nemour made the life-changing decision to represent Algeria, the homeland of her father and a country she deeply connected with. That year, Algeria, with Nemour leading from the front, finished third in the African Championship, with Nemour winning the overall title, making her the African Champion. “Hearing the Algerian national anthem was incredibly moving. It was my first African Championship, and standing on the podium’s third place with my team made me very happy. It also allowed me to qualify for the World Championships, which was such a relief,” she says. “The welcome I received was truly wonderful, with so much kindness. I still feel this support, and I’m grateful for people’s genuine warmth and encouragement.”
The decision bore fruit in spectacular fashion at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Nemour, after first winning silver in the World Championships in Antwerp, delivered a flawless routine to clinch the gold medal on the uneven bars and become the first gymnast from Africa to ever win an Olympic medal. The significance of the moment isn’t lost on her. Her historic victory became a source of pride not just for Algeria, but for Africa and the Arab world. Her name was everywhere, and North Africa went wild. In an understated fashion, though with true feeling, she says, “On the podium, I told myself, “Wow, you did it! Enjoy every moment.” It was a dream come true.”
Kaylia Nemour is an icon. The first African gymnast to win the gold medal at the Olympics. And what’s more, she chose to represent Algeria. She was a rising star in France, she was no “also ran”. At a pivotal point she chose to take the harder route. Kaylia Nemour is an icon.
Alongside the titles, alongside her “status” is something a little more … unique to the sport. Her signature move on the uneven bars, a complex and daring combination of elements, has become her hallmark and a standard many young gymnasts aspire to. So much so, that it’s now a recognized move, a “Stretched Katchev from a Close Stalder”. “Creating my own gymnastics move was a huge accomplishment. It’s something that will always be part of my legacy,” says Nemour with remarkable modesty.
Away from it all, when she’s not flying through the air, Nemour finds joy in something wonderfully simple, “I love baking, and I’d like to make it my profession one day,” she says, “It relaxes me and requires precision and discipline, just like gymnastics.” You get the feeling that, until she does exchange chalk dust for flour in the distant future, it always comes back to gymnastics. And that’s something she takes great pleasure in, “Gymnastics is gaining visibility, especially since the Paris Olympics, and it’s wonderful to see. People are finally taking an interest in the sport, appreciating its challenges, and discovering the passion and dedication behind it. It’s such an important recognition for us gymnasts,” she says with a smile.
Kaylia Nemour’s story is one of resilience, pride, and unrelenting dedication. From overcoming obstacles in her early career to making history for Algeria and Africa on the world’s biggest stage, Kaylia Nemour has become a beacon of hope and inspiration. Her journey isn’t just about gymnastics—it’s a testament to the power of dreams, hard work, and having the courage to forge your own path.
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