German Relay Team Sprints to European Silver Without Ansah

The German men's 4x100 meter relay team secured a silver medal at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, despite the absence of 200-meter European champion Owen Ansah.

The quartet, consisting of Kevin Kranz, Marvin Schulte, Heiko Gussmann, and Lucas Ansah-Peprah, clocked 38.64 seconds to finish second. The favored British team won gold with 38.45 seconds, while Belgium took bronze in 38.70 seconds.

The German Athletics Federation opted not to field Ansah as a precautionary measure against a potential disqualification, a decision that allowed him to watch as an "honored spectator." This cautious approach contrasts with the team's bronze medal win at the previous European Championships two years ago in Rome, where Ansah was part of the lineup.

While the potential for gold with Ansah remains speculative, the silver medal marks a significant achievement for the German men's sprint team. The women's relay team had a disappointing exit in the preliminary rounds after a botched baton exchange. This success for the men's team follows bronze medals won by the German team, including Gina Lückenkemper, at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the World Championships in Tokyo.

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As an honored spectator