Ghana’s aspirations at the Paris 2024 Olympics now rest on the shoulders of its men’s 4x100m relay team, which is set to compete on Thursday, August 8. With the early exits of athletes Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah in the high jump and swimmers Harry Stacey and Joselle Alice Mensah, the spotlight shifts to the sprinting quartet as they aim to restore national pride in a highly competitive event dominated by sprinting giants like the United States and Jamaica.

Benjamin Azamati and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, who reached the semi-finals of the men’s 100m sprint, fell short of advancing to the finals. Their focus now shifts to the relay event, a discipline where Ghana has historically performed well and where they hope to make a significant impact.

The Ghanaian relay team, featuring Azamati, Isaac Botsio, Saminu, Fuseini Ibrahim, and Joseph Paul Amoah, has been meticulously preparing for this crucial race. Their qualification at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas has set the stage for what is anticipated to be a thrilling performance.

Team captain Joseph Paul Amoah, exuding confidence, assured that the squad is ready to perform on the grand stage of Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The team’s training camp in Strasbourg has been instrumental, particularly in perfecting their baton exchanges—an essential factor in relay 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 Graphic Sports from their Paris base, emphasizing the critical nature of flawless baton exchanges in their pursuit of an Olympic medal.

In a strategic decision, Saminu withdrew from the men’s 200m race to conserve energy for the relay, underscoring their commitment to the event. The team is keenly aware of past disappointments due to technical errors, such as those at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the 2021 World Relays in Poland, and recent setbacks at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Determined to avoid repeating previous mistakes, the squad is focused on achieving a successful performance. “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 stated.

Coach Andrew Owusu also expressed optimism, highlighting the team’s strong preparation and encouraging performances at the African Games, Penn Relays, and African Championships. With sufficient rest since their last race on Sunday, the team is ready to compete at their highest level in France.