Ghanaian swimmer, Harry Stacey says qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics is a dream come true, after booking a place on the global stage through a wild card. Stacey joined team Ghana officially before the 2023 African Games in Accra, but swam some impressive times in the 100m and 50m freestyle final at the Borteyman
The post To finally reach the pinnacle of swimming feels surreal- Harry Stacey on Olympic qualification first appeared on 3News.
Ghanaian swimmer, Harry Stacey says qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics is a dream come true, after booking a place on the global stage through a wild card.
Stacey joined team Ghana officially before the 2023 African Games in Accra, but swam some impressive times in the 100m and 50m freestyle final at the Borteyman Aquatic Center, only narrowly missing out on the podium.
He then went on to secure his first-ever medal for Ghana at the African Swimming Championships in Angola and now has his sights on the biggest stage.
Speaking exclusively to 3ports, Stacey insisted that this feat attained is one to remember for a long time, indicating his upcoming appearance as a dream come true.
“You start swimming and you’re just getting used to the sport, you never know where you’re going with it, you’re just learning how to swim. But then after you start competing and you start hearing words like World Championships, Olympics and stuff like that, so this is the end goal, the dream, and to finally reach the pinnacle of swimming is surreal”.
Stacey was also full of praise for his family, trainers and the Ghana Swimming Association and believes their support was key in his pursuit of reaching the top.
“Joy, I guess it’s probably the main one. a lot of gratefulness. So many people helped me to get to this position, and I’m grateful for their hard work, and investing in me that has come to fruition. To represent my country at the Olympics,” he added.
Stacey will compete in the 100m freestyle events, while Ghana’s Joselle Mensah who also made it via a wild card will also seek glory in the 50m freestyle events.
The level of competition will be higher on the global stage than that of the continent, as the world’s best swimmers will assemble in pursuit of glory.
Nonetheless, although it will be his first-ever Olympics appearance, Stacey has always shown the will to compete at the best level, and Paris could unfold something greater for the 24-year-old in the coming years.
The post To finally reach the pinnacle of swimming feels surreal- Harry Stacey on Olympic qualification first appeared on 3News.
