Tebogo climbs World stage

STAFF WRITER

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

As the World Athletics Championships 2022 get underway in Oregon, all eyes will be on the major attraction of the games – the 100m sprint, undoubtedly the blue riband event of the track and field.

Botswana’s 100m wonderkid Letsile Tebogo will go head to head with the world’s creme-de-la-creme in the 100m, among them young American Erroyn Knighton and fellow Americans Fred Kerley, Tryvon Brommel, Christian Coleman, Marvin Bracy who will be a hard nut to crack. Then there is the reigning Olympic Champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy. 

From Africa, Kenyans Ferdinand Omanyala and South Africa’s Akani Simbine will raise their hands. Other Americans Noah Lyles, Micah Williams and Jamaicans Oblique Seville, and perhaps veteran Yohan Blake  will also be in the mix to spice up the action. A mouthwatering encounter with abundance of super talent.

On the other hand, unndoubtedly the women’s 100m will be dominated by the Jamaicans with Shelly-Ann Fraser Price the hot favourite based on recent form, while Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah will be contesting for first spot. On any good day, Elaine  can sweep the two aside.

Tebogo will look to reverse a recent disappointment when his World Record performance at Obed Itani Chilume stadium in Francistown was rejected by the IAAF because of the ineptitude of Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) officials. In recent races, Tebogo either hesitated or deliberately held back rather than going full throttle. Perhaps he was waiting to explode on the World stage; Eugene presents just a perfect opportunity to demonstrate what the 18 year old boy is capable of. The stage is set!

With Tlhalosang Tshireletso and Nijel Amos suspended for doping, the Blue, Black and White Team Botswana will be represented by only seven athletes. Coach Dose Mosimanyane is the head coach of the athletics team.

Amos has been provisionally suspended ahead of the World Championships after the 2012 Olympics 800 metres silver medalist tested positive for a banned metabolite, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Tuesday. Amos was notified of the result while in Eugene, Oregon, where he was scheduled to compete in the 800m heats on Wednesday (July 20).

The drug found in the 28-year-old’s system, GW1516, “modifies how the body metabolizes fat,” and the World Anti-Doping Agency has said it poses a health risk to athletes, AIU said in a release.

Amos could not be immediately reached for comment. His silver from the London Games was Botswana’s first Olympic medal. The African nation added a bronze in the 4x400m relay at the Tokyo Games last year.