Ghana’s journey at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest has been marked by challenges, with the latest being the withdrawal from the men’s 4x100m relay scheduled for Friday, August 25.
During the 200-meter heats, two members of the relay team, James Dadzie and Joseph Paul Amoah, sustained injuries that necessitated urgent medical care.
This unfortunate incident has left only three fit members on the relay team: Edwin Gadayi, Isaac Botsio, and Raymond French.
Due to the insufficient number of athletes, Ghana is unable to participate in the 4x100m relay as originally anticipated.
The Ghana Athletics Association officially confirmed the withdrawal in a press statement released on August 23, 2023.
“Ghana Athletics deeply regrets to announce the withdrawal of Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team from the World Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023.
Unfortunately, two of the five athletes on the relay, James Dadzie and Joseph Paul Amoah, sustained injuries during the 200-meter heats today, August 23, 2023, that require urgent medical care.
James pulled his hamstring about 80m into the race, resulting in a grade II tear in the bicep femoris muscle in his left hamstring.
After running a great curve in the 200m, Joseph Amoah felt a pop sensation accompanied by sudden pain in the lateral front side of his right foot. A subsequent x-ray scan revealed a small fracture at the base of his right big toe.
Given World Athletics’, and by extension GA’s emphasis on safeguarding athletes, the health and recovery of James and Joseph are our top priority.
In consultation with the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, GA, firmly believes that it’s in the best interest and greater good of James and Joseph’s careers to discontinue participation in the championships given the circumstances and to shift focus to support options for treatment.
GA would like to thank all stakeholders and ask that they pray and support the athletes for a speedy recovery.”
This decision not to participate in the race carries potentially serious consequences for Ghana’s prospects of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Had the team managed to reach the final in Budapest, it would have secured qualification for the World Relays taking place in the Bahamas in April 2024.
This event serves as a stepping stone for Olympic qualification, with the top teams from the World Relays earning their spots in the Olympic Games.
While Ghana still holds a chance to qualify for the world relays, achieving this will demand extensive preparation and participation in multiple races to improve their rankings.
Unfortunately, this recent development also means that Ghana will conclude the Championship without securing any medals.
This disappointment follows long jumper Deborah Acquah’s exit from the competition on the opening day, resulting in a missed opportunity for a podium placement in the women’s long jump event.