26 Jul 2020

Athletes, who have been on break due to the COVID-19 lockdown, have resumed training ahead of the 2021 Olympic qualifiers scheduled for December.

While the pandemic took its toll on the sporting fraternity such as cancellation of competitions including the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as well as having some games being played without spectators, some athletes used the lockdown period to their advantage.

In an interview recently, 400m sensation Boitumelo Masilo said even though COVID-19 brought negative impacts globally, it also came with its advantages.

Masilo said lockdown was a blessing in disguise to some athletes who were yet to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which had since been postponed to 2021.

For those, who have already qualified for the Olympics, he said the break, afforded them the opportunity to hone their skills ahead of the competitions.

Furthermore, Masilo who competed at the last Olympics held Brazil in 2016, said his eyes were set on qualifying for the 2021 Olympic Games.

He highlighted that he was going to use the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) meet penciled for National stadium on August 8 as a yardstick to check his fitness level.

“You can train and feel that you are fit but that fitness has to be checked via a race”.  Masilo further said he was more focused on 400m because of lack of 800m training partners, but believed he could qualify for both.

400m sprinter Onneile Phokedi said he never stopped training during lockdown and made use of training programmes availed to them to maintain fitness.

Phokedi explained that after August 8 competition, his main aim would be to compete in the national championships.

“I believe I will perform well during the August 8 competition even though it would have been ideal to have some races prior to next month’s race,” he said.

Ithuteng Bantsekae, a 400m and 200m runner, highlighted that before lockdown, he was fit enough to bring desired results adding that he would work hard to regain his fitness level. 

He said the idea was to also be in a position to make good times at the end of the year, adding that he was inspired by Isaac Makwala and South African 400m world record holder, Wayde Van Nierkerk. ENDS