09 Aug 2017

Failure to reach the podium by Nijel Amos and Baboloki Thebe has shattered dreams of Batswana of a rare moment of celebrating after a promising start at the on-going IAAF World Championship.

Amos finished in position five in the 800 metres with a time of 1:45.83 while Thebe, who the nation was pinning its hope on to bring the medal home after Isaac Makwala was controversially withdrawn from the final list, finished fourth at 44.66     

For sport journalist, Bapati Mmotlanyane, it was a torturous night not only for Batswana, but for Thebe and Amos.

He said from their body language before their races, one could easily pick they were hard hit by Makwala’s predicament.

He said Amos started well despite pushing and shoving, adding that the athlete was not bold enough to take charge and run upfront after they took the bell which he believed the athlete was fully capable of.

Mmotlanyane stated that the defining moment was when Kenyan runner Kipyegon Bett started to get on his stride and that on its own forced Amos into a tactical error of trying to attack from the outside which took much in his legs and could not turn the after burners on the home stretch.

He said the French man Pierre-Ambroise Bosse took charge and stayed on the inside lane, therefore to go past him was just a lot for the rest of the field and Amos who could not  even secure a podium finish.

“Like I have said, being an unforgiving race 800m will always be a very tactical race that is very unpredictable,” he said.

For Thebe, he said the young athlete had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, adding technically he ran a good race.

“Off the blocks, he was fairly off to a good start never gave the rest of the field a sniff on the back-straight, but Wayde van Niekerk and Steven Gardiner responded on that top bend,” he said.

Mmotlanyane said Thebe running blind was already wilting, but at one point one would have guessed he would go shoulder to shoulder with Wade, but Wayde proved his class as a defending champion.

He said Gardiner also ran a monstrous homestretch, Abdalelah Haroun left it late to peep Thebe with only two metres to the bronze.

“But nevertheless, Thebe has proved that he is a real contender for years to come. Remember, this was his first ever major championship final,” he said.

Talking about Makwala’s issue, Motlanyane said the IAAF has handled the issue badly, adding that they should have proved beyond reasonable doubt that Makwala was sick.

“I think the issue will open up rife criticism on the IAAF top brass. It’s unfortunate and devastating for Makwala, all that hard work and preparations has now gone to waste especially when he was arguably on form of his life. As an Athlete, you live for moments like that in your career and to be missing out on such a coronation prospect, it’s heart-breaking,” he said. ENDS