Injury scare for aging athletes
... as Olympics fast approach Makwala and Montsho defy age
Only 100 days remain before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but with Covid- 19 continuing to slow down preparations, there is not really much time left for local athletes who are still chasing qualification.
Hopefully, athletes will be able to push themselves very hard and possibly qualify at the upcoming Africa Athletics Championships slated for Lagos, Nigeria this coming month.
According to sources from the athletics camp, athletes like Leungo Scotch, Thebe and Karabo Sibanda amongst others are likely to hoist high the blue, black and white flag at the Africa Athletics Championships with the hope that they will qualify for the Olympics.
When they enter the lion’s den, they will likely be without some of the senior and trusted Botswana Athletics Association ( BAA) stars such as the 400m sensation, Isaac Makwala and golden girl Amantle Montsho who have already qualified for the Olympics.
It is alleged that some athletes might miss out on an opportunity to compete at the games as a way of avoiding unwanted injuries. Makwala is returning from a long injury and sources indicate that there are fears that the 35- yearold 400m champion and record holder might succumb to an injury before the Olympics.
Another athlete who has team coach Justice Dipebe scratching his head is the 37- year- old Amantle Montsho. Montsho is at the end of her career and will be participating at her last Olympics. Although the athlete has not picked any major injuries