13 Aug 2017

Despite not making it to  a podium finish, Botswana runner Isaac Makwala has undoubtedly turned a hero at the IAAF World Championships.

Although he was a medal favourite in the 400 metres, the world was shocked after an IAAF medical delegate withdrew the runner from the 200 metres heat and 400 metre final after being alleged to have diagnosed with an infectious disease.

The decision by IAAF, made the world  to sympathise with Makwala, as they were of the view that he was denied an opportunity to prove his mettle in 400 metres final.

Feeling the heat, IAAF had to somersault and allow Makwala to run alone in  the 200m heat on Wednesday, and for him to qualify for the semi-finals on the same day, he had to run a time of 20.53 or faster.

Running in lane seven under pouring rain, the fully packed Olympic Stadium that was cheering him pushed him to finish the race with a time of 20.20.

He had a limited time to rest, as he was to be back to track now to run with the rest of the athletes a short while later. In the semi-finals when he was introduced the crowd once again roared giving him moral support.

In the semis, Makwala finished on position two with a time of 20.14 despite running in the inside lane, to qualify for the final which was staged on Thursday.

Stakes and expectations were high from people around the world who felt that Botswana athlete was wrongly withdrawn from the 400 metre, and they wished that at least Makwala should win the 200 metres medal, as maybe, and just maybe he will find closure.

However, things did not pan- out as the world had expected as he finished on position six with a time of 20.44,while Turkish  Ramil Guliyev won a gold, silver went to South Africa Wayde Van Niekerk,while  Trinidad and

Tobago athlete Jereem Richards settle for bronze medal.

Makwala’s coach, Justice Dipeba said in an interview that the whole 200 metres process was very hectic, and demanding.

He said when running solo it is very difficult to conserve some energy, because it is always difficult for an athleteto gauge the time.

He said in the semi  he was drawn in the inside lane, which was  not easy to run, and needed to be in the top two, adding that , that alone was another full speed race.

The coach said the two races were approached with anger so it was all channeled into running them, and that alone ‘finished him’.

The final, he said was a different race altogether, because he was not fully recovered from running two races in one day.

“I could even see it during his warm up, there was no spark, and he looked a bit drained. The pressure was too much to handle,” he said.

Furtheremore, Dipeba said there was too much expectation from the whole world who had been watching his story on television,” he said

“You know Makwala couldn’t even go to the bathroom without camera following him. He couldn’t contain himself after the race, he was broken but all in all he was happy that he was given the opportunity and he did all he could and he was happy with that,” he said.                      

Dipeba said it was always going to be tough given all the circumstances, adding that the athlete did his best and he was proud of him.

Conversely, sport psychology lecturer at the University of Botswana , Dr Tshepang Tshube  said the reason Makwala finished on position six could have been due to internal and external pressure for  him to win.

“He probably had set high expectations for himself. There was also enormous pressure from spectators in Botswana, the media. In my opinion, the athlete never focused on the race,” he said. BOPA