Gambia’s athletics sensation Adama Jammeh has joined her compatriot Gina Bass in qualifying for the Rio Olympics this summer.
The Gambian secured his place at the Games by winning silver and finishing within the qualification time at the finals of the African Athletics Championship in Durban, South Africa, yesterday.
Two weeks ago, Ms Bass booked herself a ticket to Rio in France. Both athletes represent The Gambia in the 200meters and Jammeh said afterwards that the qualification is as a result of their hard work.
Jammeh is now the second Gambian to secure direct qualification to an Olympics Games in the sprint event after Suwaibou Sanneh in London 2012.
Jammeh did not just qualify to the Rio Games but he also smashed another national record (20:45), a timing that saw him don the silver medal.
Gina Bass who earlier won qualification to the Games finished third in the 200meters women’s event.
Speaking after scooping his qualification to Rio and breaking another national record, the sprinter who’s been working so hard to get to Rio said, “I feel so proud and happy to book myself a ticket to Rio, break the national record and African silver medal.”
“More is expected as training goes one, the award is for all Gambian population.”
by Baboucarr Camara
& Sang Mendy