0/2 but not disgraced
Botswana has missed out on the two medals target set for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games teams after Isaac Makwala became the latest to fall by the wayside in the 400-metre final yesterday.
The country sent its largest ever contingent of athletes at 14 and was for the first time, represented in four different sporting codes.
Athletics was expected to bring gold or a medal of any colour. The hopes, which had even reached the top office in the land, State House, were dealt a blow when Nijel Amos and Makwala failed to step up.
Amos had the best preparations for the Olympics, training with his club, NIKE Oregon track elite club in the United States and also had a short stint in Pretoria. In 2012, Amos trained in Pretoria before the Olympics.
“We [were] kind of tracing back the steps and getting in places that give me comfort and I feel connected to. Last year (2019) I did the fastest time in the world ever since 2012 in a race where the world record was broken and I
won a medal for Botswana. I now want to get back to my old self and that would be a podium finish position,” Amos told Mmegi Sport just before the Tokyo competition started. After the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Botswana National
Olympic Committee (BNOC) set itself a target of eight medals, which was later reduced to four, before it was later revised to two. After 10 editions of the Olympics, Botswana has managed to win one silver medal, achieved nine
years ago in London. There was hope for medals after Makwala and Amos reached the finals, but nothing materialised.
Next on the stage is the men’s 4x400m relay today, but hopes of a medal are fading. The team consists of young talent Zibani Ngozi,
Bayapo Ndori and Anthony Pesela. The experience of Baboloki Thebe is expected to be a pivotal role to the team. Leungo Scotch, who reached the semi-finals of the 400m, is also in the mix. National team coach, Justice Dipeba is expected to give Makwala a break after his 400m final.
When asked about Makwala’s performance yesterday, Dipeba was brief. “It is sport, my friend.”
Regarding the relay team, Dipeba said the inclusion of Makwala would depend on how he feels today (Friday).
“He is the fastest in the team. We are drawn in a tough heat. We need to make it to the finals,” he said.
Botswana is pitted against the Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Great Britain, Czech Republic, United States of America and Germany. Botswana will be in lane nine.