04 Jul 2021

Botswana’s 400 metres runner, Leungo Scotch has been given a free pass to Tokyo 2020 Olympics thanks to this year’s World Athletics rankings.

The rankings have perked Scotch 30th in the world this year allowing him a free pass to the Games, which start July 23 through August 8, and will see 48 athletes compete in the 400m event.

Scotch joins other qualifiers Isaac Makwala, Nijel Amos, Amantle Montsho, Galefele Moroko, Christine Botlogetswe and the men’s 4 x 400m. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) vice president, Oabona Theetso said they were happy that the numbers of athletes who would represent the country had increased.

He said Scotch’s qualification would inspire more athletes to work hard for the coming World Championships and Commonwealth Games billed for next year.

Track and field analyst, Aobakwe Showa said the qualification standard for Tokyo was 44.90s, was too high for many athletes worldwide.

He said qualifying for Tokyo track and field was based on three bases namely, entry standard, World rankings and universality place.

Past qualifying criteria for the Olympics and World Championship was based on entry standards but in 2018 World Athletics introduced the World ranking system, which would also be used to qualify athletes for major events.

According to Showa, Scotch amassed many points in 2019 at Doha World championships heats and semi-finals where he ran 45.10s and 45.00s respectively.

“He also earned points at All Africa Games by clinching gold in 45.27s.

This year he earned points in the National Championships in May winning the event in 45.55s and AGN meet in South Africa with a time of 45.27s.

These points placed him on 30th spot earning him a qualification,” he said The ranking system is based on points scored by athletes based on a combination of result and place depending on the level of the competition in which the result is achieved.

The points are the average of the athlete’s in the various competitions.ENDS