05 Jul 2017

Botswana’s 400 metres  runner Baboloki ‘Hurricane’ Thebe will today (July 6) be up against the world’s best in the Lausanne Diamond League meet.

Thebe’s character, endurance and ability will be seriously tested during the meet as the entry list is made up of 400 metres crème de la crème in the likes of the current world recorder, Wayde Van Niekerk, United States of America’s sprinters, Vernon Norwood, Tony Mcquay, Michael Cherry, and Trinidadian sprinter Machel Cedenio.

Currently Thebe is leading the 400 metres Diamond League table with 22 points he accumulated from three race, on position two is Gardiner with 16 points, position three is occupied by USA’s sprinter LaShwawn Merritt with 15 points.

And if his good performance in the circuit is anything to go by, there is no doubt that Thebe might just pull a surprise at the Athletissima Lausanne.

In his first Diamond League meeting in Eugene he finished on second position with a time of 45.04 after America’s Lashawn Merritt ,in his second meeting in Oslo he finished on position one with 44.95,while in Stockholm he finished on position two clocking 44.99.

However, Thebe is cognisant of the start list and he told BOPA before his departure to Switzerland that he was under no pressure and he was going to enjoy his race.

“If you look at the entry list, majority of them have clocked good times, but for you to be the best you have to compete with the best. That is when I will gauge myself properly before the World Championships,” he said.

Thebe said he was not going to respect any athlete on the track as he would do his best to finish on top three as his mission was to qualify for the Diamond League finals.

Furthermore, he said sharing the track with the likes of Van Niekerk was a motivation on itself, adding that he was of the view that good times might be recorded in that event given that every athlete would want to beat him.

Sport journalist Bapati Mmotlanyane described the 400 metres event in Lausanne as a field full of quality quarter-milers.

“On any day, could it be an Olympic or championship final, and you should expect it to be fast, Wayde will be the favourite. His performances lately on the 300m could be a signal of him posting a WL on his first 400 metres.”

He however said Thebe had been under a good spell of form and such races were vital for him to prove his mettle as one of the podium contenders at the coming World Championships to be staged in London. ENDS