01 Aug 2017

The world will miss what could have been a repeat of the 2012 Olympic Games final after defending champion David Rudisha pulled out of the competition due to a quad muscle injury.

In 2012 at the same stadium that will host the IAAF World Championships, the then unknown Nijel Amos gave Rudisha a run for his money, but finished on second position in the finals and won the first ever Olympic medal for Botswana.

University of Botswana sport psychology, sociology of sport and track and field lecturer, Dr Tshepang Tshube said it was an opportunity for Amos to shine because he had been relieved of the Rudisha pressure.

“Even though there is Kenyan Emmanuel Korir who is a challenger, the path to victory has been shortened,” he said.

However, Dr Tshube said it was important for Amos to remain composed and focused given that there were always surprises at World Championships.

Athletics analyst, Billy Tambula said Rudisha had always been a big stage man, adding that two weeks after setting a world record at the 2012 Olympics he was defeated in the Diamond League by Ethiopian middle distance runner, Mohammed Aman.

“Even a few months before Rio 2016 one or two guys defeated him, but he went on to win at the Olympics. Despite the fact that he wasn’t doing well this season you can’t rule him out. With him out it really means we might have an unpredictable line up in the finals,” he said.

Tambula further said the Kenyan contenders were tricky customers, adding that without Algerian Taoufik Makhloufi and Rudisha, the three Kenyans Kipyegon Bett, Korir and Ferguson Rotich would want to prove a point.

He said the trio had different tactics and that with Amos in good shape, all eyes would be on him, adding that it was now up to the athlete to remain focused and absorb all the pressure that might come his way from different stakeholders such as the media and athletics pundits.

“According to me, there is going to be a very close contest. I think speed endurance will be a determining factor in the competition should they all proceed to the finals,”he said.

For his part, sport journalist Bapati Mmotlanyane said it was devastating, not only for Rudisha, but for Kenya and Africa, adding that even the sponsors would rue his unfortunate predicament.

“Individually no athlete wishes to miss out on the World Championships due to an injury, especially when you still want to rubber stamp your authority as the defending champion,” he said.

His career, he said had  been plighted by a series of injuries, adding that the other side of the coin was that his absence would  increase podium finish prospects for other competitors.

“But at the same time it would have been amazing to see how his long track rivalry with Amos would pan out. But you can never underestimate the quality or value of those who will make it to the final,” he said.

Furthermore, Mmotlanyane said for Kenyans it was a major set-back, but that they had a new prodigy coming up the ranks and proving to a contender. ENDS