2024 Paris Olympics: Double heartbreak for Kenya as Omanyala exits, Ekwam pulls out

After an initial stellar performance, Ferdinand Omanyala failed to stamp his authority in the third 100m semi-final of the 2024 Olympic Games as he finished eighth on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

The Commonwealth Games champion reached the penultimate stage by winning his heat but struggled against top rivals as he ended up finishing in 10.08 seconds. His exit means he has failed at the same juncture he did during the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson emerged as the winner, and he was followed closely by the USA’s Fred Kerley, who completed their races at 9.80 and 9.84, respectively.

Jamaica will have a strong representation in the final after Oblique Seville beat his top rival Noah Lyles of the USA to win in Heat 1.

Heartbreak for Ekwam

Meanwhile, Zablon Ekwam pulled out of the 400m after he suffered what appeared to be an injury during Heat 6 action.

Ekwam could not continue with the race even though he was a strong contender with only 200ms remaining to complete the duty.

He was making his Olympic debut, but it ended in a manner he least expected, even after showing a strong performance in the opening stages of the race.

“A tough break for the birthday boy as Zablon Ekwam couldn’t finish the 400m race from a fall. Sending our support and best wishes to our boy,” a statement on X made by Team Kenya said regarding Ekwam’s situation.

He secured a ticket to the Paris finals after running 44.69 seconds at the Kip Keino Classic held in Nairobi.

US champion Quincy Hall, meanwhile, went on to win the heat in 44.28 seconds. Samuel Ogazi from Nigeria, who set a personal best of 44.50 seconds, was second, while Australia’s Reece Holder registered a personal best of 44.53 seconds and secured the third slot.

Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith won Heat 1 on 44.78 seconds, with the USA’s Christopher Bailey clocking 44.89 seconds.

In the remaining heat, Havard Bentdal Ingvaldsen of Norway and Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie dominated.