26 May 2016

 

Botswana’s ace runner, Amantle Montsho will soon return to the track from a two year ban following a failed doping test.

She was found guilty for an anti-doping rule violation after she tested positive for methylhexaneamine at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The 400 metres runner’s ban will end on August 1, and she will miss Olympic Games this year because the qualifying deadline is July 11.

The Maun -born athlete told BOPA that she was currently training to keep fit, adding the challenge was that she did not have a training partner given that she was not supposed to train with other athletes.

After August 1, Amantle will be free to participate in any race that might come her way. She however said her ambition was to  pick up the pieces and move on after her ban.

“My target is to train very hard and fully prepare for the 16^th IAAF World Championships next year to be held in London,” she said.

Montsho knows the pride of winning the championships as she did that in 2011 in Dageu when she delivered the first ever gold medal for the country in the world championships.

Since her ban, the country has never been represented at a higher stage in the Olympic Games, World Championships or Diamond League by any woman until this year when Lydia Jele and Christine Botlogetswe qualified for Rio Olympics.

However, University of Botswana sport psychology, sociology of sport and track and field lecture, Dr Tshepang Tshube said it was important for all Batswana to know that Montsho’s two year suspension was limited to competitions only. 

She had access to training facilities and continued interaction with her coaches, adding that he was confident if she continued her physical training, she should not be too far from where she left off. 

Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin, he said did well after their suspensions, adding Amantle could  do the same or even better.

Dr Tshube said the most important thing she needed was a strong mental training that reassured her talent, training and previous successes. 

“She is a former world champion and current Commonwealth record holder. I want to encourage all Batswana to support Amantle in this endeavour.” ENDS