Rio Olympics 2016: Flings Owusu-Agyapong to be Team Ghana’s flag bearer

Sprinter Flings Owusu-Agyapong will carry the flag of Ghana at the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony on Friday, 5th August, 2016.

The announcement was made at Team Ghana’s maiden meeting at the Olympic Games village in Rio on Wednesday by Ghana’s Chef de Mission, Chris Essilfie.

Having already secured her individual qualifying mark for Rio 2016 three times in the women’s 100m earlier in the year, the 27-year old also ran the first leg as Ghana’s women 4x100m relay team subsequently qualified for the Games at the Nana-Soga-Slim Memorial meet in Cape Coast on Friday, 8th July, 2016.

Flings was part of the women’s 4x100m relay team that recently won silver at the 2016 African Championships in South Africa, following their earlier success at the 2014 African Championships in Morocco, and the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo-Brazzaville where the team also won silver.

Flings was born in Kumasi, and studied for a bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University. She has been on the national team since 2006.

Flings said it is a great honour to be handed the privilege of carrying Ghana’s flag at the opening ceremony.

“I was really excited that I was named flag bearer and I was really honoured just to be able to represent my country and my teammates. I know they have also worked so hard to be here. It is just a complete honour and I’m really excited to hold the flag for Ghana.”

Heavyweight boxer Maxwell Amponsah led Team Ghana four years ago at the London 2012 Olympics. Prior to that, sprinter Vida Anim led Ghana’s team at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

In a related development, national javelin record holder John Ampomah was also named Team Captain at the same meeting. Hailing from Konongo, John attended Konongo-Odumase Secondary School and is completing his degree at Middle-Tennessee State University. He debuted on the national team in 2012.

The Chef de Mission commented on why Flings and John were chosen.

“Of the team of debutants she(Flings) has represented Ghana the longest, was one of the earliest qualifiers, has qualified in two events (open 100 and relay), the most senior, and I   considered her very deserving of the honor of carrying our flag. She is very disciplined full of life, grace and confidence that draws other along.

Chris Essilfie explained why javelin thrower John Ampomah was chosen as team captain:

“He is a very affable individual, liked by everyone, respected by all the athletes, he looks at the concerns of everyone and just generally exudes confidence and responsibility. He represents both the local and foreign based in many ways. That makes him better placed to be my captain for Rio 2016.”

Meanwhile, Ghana’s team comprises 16 first-time Olympians, after the sport of athletics produced 11 qualifiers to join 2 swimmers (Kaya Forson and Abeiku Jackson), 1 weightlifter (Christian Amoah), 1 judoka (Szandra Szogedi), and 1 boxer (Abdul Wahid Omar). Omar was one of Ghana’s two bronze medalists from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

From athletics, the team comprises six individual qualifiers: Flings Owusu-Agyapong (100m), Janet Amponsah (200m), John Ampomah (Javelin), Emmanuel Dasor (200m), Alex Amankwah (800m), and Sean Safo-Antwi (100m) and the 15th-placed women’s 4x100m relay team, including Gemma Acheampong, Beatrice Gyaman, Dorcas Gyimah, Persis William-Mensah, and Akua Obeng-Akrofi.

Below is a preliminary schedule of Team Ghana at the Games:

Other Updates:

Athletes undergo health screening at Nyaho Medical Clinic in July

As part of our partnership with the Nyaho Medical Clinic in Accra-Ghana to provide world-class healthcare assessment for Ghana’s team to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, some Rio bound athletes underwent a health screening exercise at the Clinic in July.

The sponsorship package brings together a leader in the Sports and Olympic Movement in Ghana with one of the best health facilities in Ghana with a track record of world class health delivery for over 45 years.

The initiative ensures that all members of the National Olympic Team receive a comprehensive and unrivaled medical assessment covering; physical examination, Electrocardiogram, Full Blood Count, Fasting blood glucose, BUE and Creatanine, Serum Lipids test, HB electrophoresis, Hepatitis B and C and a range of urine analyses.

Team Ghana officially welcomed to the Games

Days after arriving at the Rio 2016 Games Village, Team Ghana was officially welcomed to the Olympics amidst fanfare, the playing of the Ghana national anthem, and a spontaneous dancing competition on Wednesday, 3rd August.

Ghana’s Chef de Mission, Chris Essilfie, led the delegation to “the Plaza” in the Olympic Village, the venue for the occasion and was warmly received on stage by the Venue Manager for the Olympic Village.

Ghanaian athletes and officials sung along as the national anthem was played for the first time at the Games village.

Team Ghana Meeting on Wednesday, 3rd August

Team Ghana held its first meeting at the Olympic Games on Wednesday, 3rd August. Chef de Mission, Chris Essilfie, formally welcomed team members to the Games. He announced the team flag bearer for the welcome ceremony and the team captain. He advised the athletes and officials to keep to the team’s code of conduct and Games Village rules at all times. The interactive session also gave the opportunity to athletes to ask questions about the Games, which were answered by the Chef de Mission and the Team Manager, Rev. Richmond Quarcoo.

Credit: Ghana Olympic Committee