Paris 2024: Omanyala says faster times don't matter without a medal

Ferdinand Omanyala after competing in the 100m heats at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

Deafening cheers welcomed Africa fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala at the Stade de France on Saturday as he comfortably qualified for the 100m semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Commonwealth Games champion clocked 10.08 to clinch Heat 2 amidst jubilation from an expectant crowd.  Italian Ali Chituru and Germany's Joshua Hartmann finished second (10.12) and third (10.16).

All the three athletes sailed through to tonight’s (9.05pm) semifinals. The final is set for 10.50pm.

Coming in the Games as the second-fastest man this year and having been eliminated at the semifinals stage at the Tokyo Olympics, the former rugby winger knows exactly what to expect in the tonight’s race.

“We are in a Championships, you don't have to burn yourself out. Today was all about introducing yourself to the field and enjoying it, tomorrow (Sunday) is where the game is. The moment I got into the stadium everybody started laughing, the crowd was just amazing,” said Omanyala.

“The work is done. I was in Miramas and I have prepared for the Championships, right now I feel like I haven't run, so come tomorrow I will be very fresh.  I'm happy the semis will be at 8pm, so I will get enough time to sleep.”

Omanyala who looked comfortable on the track, feels he is now more matured and experienced to compete at the top level.

“We have waited for three years, I'm sure we can wait for the next 24 hours. Let's wait and see,” he said.

“Between the last three years, so many things have happened and three years is a such a very long period in sports and time for an athlete to grow: Commonwealth Games and African titles coupled by Diamond League wins. I'm happy that we are here today, going into the semis tomorrow as one of the favourites. I'm excited, so let's see what happens.

But he was quick to downplay his fastest time of 9.79 of ahead of the race.

“Once you start the heats, the fastest time doesn't matter at all,  what matters is that medal people will wear on their necks tomorrow. All the times we have run this year are null and void for now,” he said.

Defending Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy, world leader Kishane Thompson from Jamaica and world champion Noah Lyles from US also booked their tickets to the last four.

Jacobs clocked 10.05 to finish second in a heat won by Kayinsola Ajayi of Nigeria while Thompson bagged his heat in 10.00.