18 May 2017

Botswana’s 800 metres runner, Nijel Amos says he is settling well at his new home in the United States of America.

Amos recently relocated to the USA to train at the Oregon Track Club that is under Nike, and will be drilled by his new coach, Mark Rowland

In an interview, Amos  said he was adapting well and happy that his club was made up of a small group.

He said the small number makes it easy for the coach to manage and to have time for every athlete.

He said some of the athletes under their stable include Great Britain’s 800 metres runner, Andrew Osagie, Somali-American long distance runner, Hassan Mead and American middle distance runner, who specialises in 800 metres, Charles Jock.

“What I like is that everyone has their own programme. We are different as athletes, we might be running the same distance, but it doesn’t mean the same programme will work for all of us,” said Amos, adding that Rowland has designed programmes looking at each individuals strengths and weaknesses.

On his participation in the IAAF Diamond League meetings, he said he did not compete in the Shanghai meeting because the competition was not in their racing schedule.

“Its crunch time, remember we have the World Champs coming, and we have to plan very well and ensure that I do not compete in lots of races least fatigue takes its course ahead of the World Champs. It’s eyes on the ball, no mistake this time,” emphasised Amos.

He added that his main focus this year was the World Champions,  and that together with his coach, they have selected a few Diamond League meetings that he would compete in.

“I want to win the Diamond League trophy and my aim is to compete in four races to accumulate points that would secure me a berth at the finals, and then switch focus to the World Championship,” he said.

He said his first Diamond League race would be on June 8 in Rome.

On July 1, he will be competing in Paris, eight days later he will be in London followed by Monaco on July 21 then back to London again for the World Championships in August.

Athletics analyst, Billy Tambula said Amos made the right decision by moving to the USA given that the country had proved to be strong in middle distance races, especially 800m and 1 500m.

“One would say the USA is doing something differently, we saw Matthew Centrowitz Jr taking gold in the men’s 1 500m at the Olympics and Clayton Murphy taking bronze still at the 2016 Olympic Games,” he said.

He also noted that the USA won gold in 4x800metres men’s relay at the just ended IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas finals by beating 800m specialists, Kenya.

Tambula said almost all top athletes train in the USA, adding that it means there were a lot of good coaches.

“Personally, I think Nijel made the right move since he will have a chance to properly gauge his progress going to the world championships. Also his club is under Nike, therefore, he is going to enjoy better access to sport scientists, dieticians and gym instructors,” he said. ENDS