When former Coppin State track & field star Joseph Amoah boarded his plane to leave Tokyo, Japan, after not winning a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics (competed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), some would say he left with a loss.
 
But Amoah says, in reality, he won.
 
Although Amoah did not get the results he anticipated in the men’s 200-meter and men’s 4x100-meter relay, the experience has made him prouder to be from Ghana.
 
“I started running track in high school and it has always been a dream of mine to represent my country at a high level, especially the Olympics,” Amoah said. “I have always worked hard to make sure I continue to achieve new heights.”
 
For the eight-time All-American, representing Ghana has given him the opportunity to dispel common misconceptions about Africa. He believes the misconceptions are two-part:
 
The first part of this, according to Amoah, is the leaders have elevated how they market Africa to display the high levels of innovation taking place. The second part of dispelling these African myths comes from people outside of the continent doing their due diligence to expand their minds.
 
“There is so much talent in Africa,” Amoah said. “There is infrastructure everywhere. We have several natural resources that help move us forward in the right direction, but I feel like it all depends on how the leaders are able to utilize these things to continue to push the continent in the right direction.”
 
One of Amoah’s best friends, Martin Owusu-Antwi, believes Amoah’s Olympic platform has taken Ghana to a new sphere.
 
“I ran for Ghana previously, but we did not push Ghana as far as the group of Joseph and the current others have,” Owusu-Antwi said. “I am beyond proud of the work he is putting in for himself and Ghana on a grand stage.”
 
At the beginning of Amoah’s career, he blamed not having the highest quality facilities for his lack of improvement. As the Coppin State 100-meter record holder matured, he took on the mentality of knowing his talent lives within him, not where he is.
 
“It’s not about where you are, it’s about what you are made of,” Amoah said. “There are some people that have made it from my country that have gone to the western world (America and Europe) to train and there are people that have stayed in our country (Africa) and still have made it. I could have stayed at home and still became who I am today.”
 
Through all of Amoah’s worldly experiences, he has trained his mind to trust the work he has put in. He also gives credit to his circle around him for giving him an extra push to excel his mindset.
 
While in Tokyo, Amoah was exposed to the cultures of 206 countries. But the former Eagle explains that Tokyo was not the beginning or finish line in his journey to exploring cultures; it was simply another step.
 
In Tokyo, there were over 11,500 athletes competing in 33 sports. With over 3 billion tuning into the Olympics in awe of talent being displayed to outsiders, Amoah reflects on how the Olympics is an opportunity for competitors to celebrate each other as insiders.
 
When Amoah was in Tokyo, he proudly posed with Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. He describes the interaction as not being starstruck but more of an interaction between two world-class athletes giving each other respect and praise. 
 
“To be able to reach the level of the Olympics, it’s not something you just say and it can’t be something that stays in your dreams,” Amoah said. “There is hard work that has to be done. At that moment, everyone over there knows we are here because of the work. Everyone is happy to reach this level. If you’re there, everyone appreciates your work.”
 
Despite not having a physical victory in Tokyo, Amoah has high hopes for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
 
“In Paris, I want to run the 100 (meters) and 200 (meters), and the relay as well,” Amoah said.
 
“Life is all about growing and experiences,” Owusu-Antwi said. “Joseph has been there and done that. But this will be a different feeling because it is his next time around. He has his jitters out the way. I think this time he will feel more free and run to the best of his ability.”
 
With Ghana, his best friend, trainers and support of his worldly community of athletes, this Olympic-bound Eagle wants to soar toward gold.