Liberian sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh has advanced to the semifinals of the men’s 200-meter event at the Paris Olympics. On Monday, August 5, 2024, Fahnbulleh showcased his speed by winning his heat in the first round with an impressive time of 20.20 seconds. Italy’s Eseosa Fostine Desalu followed closely in second place at 20.26 seconds, while Van Niekerk finished third in 20.42 seconds.
Fahnbulleh delivered a thrilling performance, coming from behind to secure victory in his heat. He will return to the track on Wednesday, August 6, for the semifinal, where the top three finishers from each heat will earn a spot in the final.
With Fahnbulleh now in the semifinals, hopes are soaring for Liberia to clinch a gold medal. Earlier this year, he won the men’s 100m final at the African Championships with a time of 10.13 seconds, defeating local talent Emmanuel Eseme in Douala, Cameroon. Fahnbulleh recently claimed the title of men’s 200m African champion and is currently ranked 11th in the world. In 2021, he reached the finals of the men’s 200m at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing fifth.
In addition to Fahnbulleh, Liberia’s men’s 4×100 relay team is set to compete on Thursday, August 8. Newcomers Jabez Reeves (21) and John Sherman (19) will join veterans Matadi and Fahnbulleh for their Olympic debut. Akeem Sirleaf (27), who participated in the team’s qualification at the Bahamas relay, will serve as an alternate due to injury.
Liberia has not had a relay team qualify for the Olympics since the Sydney Games in 2000. The nation’s first men’s relay team made its debut at the 1956 Games in Melbourne, Australia, and it has yet to produce a women’s relay Olympic team.
Ebony Morrison (29) is competing in her second Olympic Games. A member of the trio that represented Liberia in Tokyo, she advanced to the semifinals and holds the national record in the women’s 100m hurdles. As the 2024 African champion in the women’s 100m hurdles, Morrison will compete in her event on Wednesday, August 7. In addition to her individual success, she earned a bronze medal as part of the women’s 4x100m relay team at the African Championships.
Emmanuel Matadi reached the semifinals of the men’s 100m but did not advance, finishing eighth in heat 2 with a time of 10.18 seconds. He concludes his season as the men’s 100m national record holder (9.91) and will compete in the men’s 4×100 relay on Thursday, August 8.
Thelma Davies, who shared her dream of becoming an Olympian in a 2021 tweet, faced a setback this season due to injury.
