European Athletics Championships: Sprint Relay Claims Silver Without Ansah
Germany's men's 4x100 meter relay team wins silver at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham without Owen Ansah, who was not nominated due to doping concerns.
4x100 Meter Relay: Silver for Germany Without Ansah
As of August 15, 2026, Germany has solidified its status as a sprinting powerhouse, clinching the silver medal in the men’s 4x100 meter relay at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, despite the absence of 200-meter European champion Owen Ansah.
In a thrilling final, the German team finished with a time of 38.64 seconds, just 0.19 seconds behind the host nation, Great Britain, who took gold. Belgium secured the bronze with a time of 38.70 seconds.
The quartet, consisting of Kevin Kranz, Marvin Schulte, Heiko Gussmann, and Lucas Ansah-Peprah, initially posted the third-fastest time in the heats with 38.57 seconds, finishing behind Great Britain and Italy. In the final, Gussmann handed off to Ansah-Peprah in third place, but the anchor leg runner surged ahead on the home stretch, overtaking Belgium for the silver.
Ansah-Peprah: "I Just Ran for My Life"
After the race, Ansah-Peprah expressed his elation, feeling as though he had passed several competitors. He shared his excitement with ARD, stating, "I just saw that there were a few ahead of me, and I caught them. I ran for my life and only later realized that we are European vice-champions. Our goal was a medal—I'm incredibly proud of the whole team."
Kranz, the starting runner, echoed the team's enthusiasm, declaring, "We executed an ultra-good race." Schulte emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, "I am very grateful to be part of this group. Everyone can rely on each other, and that’s why we were rewarded with silver."
Gussmann, the 22-year-old curve runner, also acknowledged Ansah's support, noting, "Owen was with us during the final. He encouraged us and helped us achieve silver. We owe him our thanks."
Ansah Not Nominated for Relay
Despite his remarkable achievements, including a bronze in the 100 meters and a gold in the 200 meters at the same championships, Ansah was not nominated for the relay team. The German Athletics Federation made this decision due to concerns over a potential retroactive disqualification of his results in England.
The federation expressed their support for Ansah, with Schulte stating, "We wish Owen the best; we are so proud of him. We can count on him, and he can count on us. As a national team, we are united and stand behind Owen."
Reports indicate that Ansah refused to provide a doping sample the day before the Diamond League meeting on July 10 in Monaco. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has proposed a four-year ban, which Ansah's lawyer has indicated will be contested, suggesting that protracted legal battles may ensue.
