GIM turns into gold
Botswana has been given the opportunity by World Athletics, to host the first Botswana Golden Grand Prix, a World Athletic Continental Tour Gold event on the 29th of April 2023 at the National Stadium in Gaborone.
Through a statement this week, World Athletics wrote: “This is an annual event and World Athletics has given Botswana the rights to host this prestigious event for the next three years (2023-2025).” World Athletics is the world governing body for the sport of athletics, recognized as such by the International Olympic Committee, and has exclusive right to organise and/ sanction international athletics competitions, including the events of the World Athletics Series, Diamond League Meetings and World Athletics Permit Meetings.
The World Athletics press release continued: “Formerly named Gaborone International Meet (GIM), the event has been upgraded by World Athletics from Bronze status to become World Athletics Continental Tour (Gold). Botswana Golden Grand Prix is one of the only two World Athletics Continental Tour, Gold Track and field competitions hosted in Africa annually, and the only one in Southern Africa holding a gold status.” According to World Athletics, Botswana’s position therefore positions the event as a major attraction for international athletes and spectators.
“Botswana Golden Grand Prix is organised by Golden Door Sports Agency, a local sports management company, led by Glody Dube, the
first Motswana to run professionally and to reach the Olympic finals, in partnership with the Botswana Government through the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture Development, World Athletics, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA).” Botswana Golden Grand Prix is one of the most anticipated events in the athletics Calendar as a major track and field event in southern Africa and is now officially part of the World Athletics Calendar.