Paris 2024: Relay team carry Ghana’s Olympic hopes

GHANA’S remaining hopes in the ongoing Paris Olympic Games hinge on the lightning-fast legs of the men’s sprint quartet, who are set to compete in the men’s 4x100m relay starting Thursday, August 8.

Following early exits by Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah in the high jump, and swimmers Harry Stacey and Joselle Alice Mensah, the spotlight now shifts to Ghana’s speedsters. These athletes aim to restore national pride in a fiercely competitive event likely to be dominated by powerhouses like the United States and Jamaica.

Benjamin Azamati and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, who both reached the semi-finals of the men’s 100m sprints, fell short of advancing to the finals last Sunday. Now, their focus is on an event where Ghana traditionally excels and holds much promise.

The Ghanaian relay team—comprising Azamati, Isaac Botsio, Saminu, Fuseini Ibrahim, and Joseph Paul Amoah—has been rigorously preparing for this critical moment. They secured their spot at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, setting the stage for a thrilling performance.

Confidence

Team captain, Joseph Paul Amoah, brimming with confidence, gave an assurance that the squad was well-prepared to deliver on the vibrant track of Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Friday morning.

Their training camp in Strasbourg has been pivotal, allowing them to fine-tune their baton exchanges—a crucial element for success.

“I think we are ready to compete. We're also hoping that everything with the baton passes goes flawlessly because the whole world is watching.

Hopefully, God will be with us, and everything will be fine,” Amoah told the Graphic Sports from their Paris base, underscoring the importance of seamless baton changes in their quest for an Olympic final spot.

In a strategic move, Saminu opted out of the men’s 200m race to conserve his energy for the relay in his Olympic debut, signalling their commitment to the event.

Memories of past disqualifications loom large, notably the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2021 World Relays in Poland, where technical errors cost Ghana dearly. The team also faced heartbreak at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games due to similar blunders.

However, the squad is determined to avoid such pitfalls this time, learning from previous mistakes.

"Relay is not just about speed; it's about how efficient your passes are. We're all set to do our part. Hopefully, our best will be good enough to bring home a medal," Amoah said.

Coach Andrew Owusu echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s solid preparation and promising performances at the African Games, Penn Relays and African Championships.

With ample rest since the men’s 100m semi-finals on Sunday, the team is poised for success in France.