When fencer Mohamed Al-Sayed won Egypt’s first medal in Paris 2024 after securing the bronze in the men’s epee individual event, that happened on Sunday 28 July, just two days after the Olympics began.

As of 6 August, with just six days left before the closing ceremony, Al-Sayed’s medal remains Egypt’s only medal.

Egypt’s sole bronze medal put it in 64th place in the table standings, in stark contrast to leaders the US who as of writing had notched up 79 medals, 21 of them gold.

Shortly before the Olympics began, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi predicted that Egypt would collect from six to 10 medals, probably basing his forecast on the six garnered in Tokyo 2020.

Tokyo marked Egypt’s most successful Olympic outing to date, (one gold, one silver, and four bronze).

In fairness, Egypt could still bag more metal in sports that have yet to start, including taekwondo, judo, weightlifting and the modern pentathlon, events that Egypt have a proven track record.

In team sports, Egypt’s men’s handball team is into the second round. The team was scheduled to take on Spain in the quarter-finals on Wednesday morning, after Al-Ahram Weekly went to press.

The football team had the chance to reach the final for the first time but lost 3-1 to France in the semi-final.

Egypt and Morocco, which lost to Spain 2-1 in the earlier semi-final, will play for the bronze medal today, Thursday 8 August.

At Lyon Stadium on Monday, Egypt were just eight minutes away from a famous victory, leading 1-0 thanks to a thunderbolt from Mahmoud Saber after 62 minutes. Egypt became the first team to breach France’s previously impenetrable defence in the tournament.

However, France, coached by the great Thierry Henry, tied it late when Jean-Phillipe Mateta swept in on goal for the equaliser.

At the start of extra time, Omar Fayed was given a red card for a cynical challenge, following a yellow for dissent, forcing his side to play a man down for most of added time.

Fayed’s dismissal proved to be the turning point, as France capitalised and took the lead through Mateta’s header before Michael Olise added a third to seal the victory.

The Pharaohs had reached the semi-finals after beating Paraguay on penalties in the quarter-finals following a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time.

It marked Egypt’s third appearance in the Olympic semi-finals, having previously reached the last four at the Amsterdam 1928 and Tokyo 1964 Games.

Earlier on Monday, Spain beat Morocco 2-1 in the first semi-final. Juanlu Sanchez came off the bench to fire Spain to a record-equaling fifth Olympic men’s soccer final. The Spaniards fell behind to Morocco following a 37th minute penalty, scored by Soufiane Rahimi. But Fermín López and Juanlu Sánchez, the latter in the 85th minute, ensure it’s Spain and France who will play for gold. It’s the Spaniards’ second straight appearance in the final, having taken silver at Tokyo 2020.

The battle for third place on Thursday pits two Arab countries for the first time.

Egypt are coached by Brazilian Rogerio Micale who previously guided Brazil to a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro 2016.