Ghana’s national swimming captain, Abeiku Jackson, will not be competing in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris after failing to make the qualification points.
However, swimmers Harry Stacey and Joselle Mensah have both qualified and will represent Ghana at the Games.
Harry Stacey and Joselle Mensah will head to Paris as Ghana’s wildcard options. Joselle will compete in the 50m freestyle, while Harry will participate in the 100m freestyle.
Although they did not meet the automatic qualification marks, they secured their spots through the wildcard system available to Ghana.
Wildcards are awarded to the best male and female swimmers in each country based on their accumulated points in the FINA rankings from competitions throughout the year.
Joselle Mensah, the top female swimmer by points in Ghana, secured her place easily. In the male division, Abeiku Jackson, Ghana’s leading swimmer, recorded the most points. However, World Aquatics rules stipulate that wildcards can only be handed to the same swimmer twice. Having competed in the 2016 and 2020 Games, Abeiku Jackson is ineligible for another wildcard.
Harry Stacey has had a remarkable swim year, placing fourth in two different events at the 2023 African Games, narrowly missing out on podium finishes. He led Jackson on points for much of the season until last month when Jackson competed in Mauritius to boost his world ranking points.
Despite Abeiku Jackson’s absence, the presence of Harry Stacey and Joselle Mensah at the Olympics highlights the growing talent and potential within Ghana’s swimming community. They will aim to make a significant impact in Paris, showcasing their skills on the world stage.
