Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a season-best time of 10.08 seconds.
Competing on Saturday morning, Azamati, who holds the Ghanaian national record, demonstrated his exceptional talent to secure his place in the next round.
He now aims to run a sub-10-second time, which could be key for qualifying for the final in this prestigious event.
The heat featured some drama when Jeremiah Azu, a sprinter of Ghanaian descent who represents Great Britain, was disqualified for a false start. Azu, visibly frustrated, argued with officials before leaving the track.
Though Azu has Ghanaian heritage, he was born in the Netherlands and raised in Wales, making a name for himself in British athletics.
The heat was won by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who is the fastest man of 2024, with an impressive time of 10.00 seconds.
Thompson, who ran a remarkable 9.77 seconds at Jamaica’s Olympic trials, is a strong contender for the gold medal.
Azamati finished second, while Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinosa came in third. All three athletes, including heat winner Kishane Thompson, advanced to the semi-finals.
Azamati’s performance has reignited hopes for a medal following the disappointment at the African Games. At 26, he is celebrated as a national hero, with the entire country eagerly watching his every move.
Securing a spot in the final—and possibly winning a medal—would be a dream come true for Ghana.
All eyes will be on Azamati as he competes in the semifinals. Will he deliver a standout performance and elevate Ghana to the top of the sprinting world?
