06 Aug 2025

A delegation of five people from World Athletics governing body arrived in Botswana yesterday as part of the preparations for the World Athletics Relays to be held in Gaborone in May.

While in Botswana, the delegation will tour all facilities to be used during the World Relays Gaborone 2026 such as hotels and the competition venue to check the readiness of the country.  The delegation that comprises Daniela Bratoveanu who is the events manager, competition and event director Marton Gyulai, head of competitions Pierce O’Callaghan, venue manager Kenneth Underwood and media operations senior manager at World Athletics, Martina Kucerova will also have a tête-à-tête with the local organising committee.

In an interview Bratoveanu said they are in Botswana for a planning site visit of the 2026 edition World Relays. She said  they would inspect the stadium set to host the competition. Bratoveanu said the delegation would also inspect other venues including hotels, calling it a key visit to ensure World Athletics aligned with the Local Organising Committee (LOC). She said Botswana and LOC would receive support from the World Athletics, noting that the relays were a joint effort between the two parties.  

“As World Athletics, we cannot host an event without the help of the host city and country. It is a collaboration, a 50-50 effort, and that is why we are here to make sure that we are going to put the same amount of effort,” she said.

World Relays Gaborone 2026, Chief Executive Officer Moses Bantsi said the delegation while in Botswana would present to the LOC their expectations. He said the LOC, would also present progress in terms of the preparations, and as to what they would be doing moving forward. Bantsi said the main objective of the World Athletics site visit, is to identify gaps and also to see what was needed to close such gaps. 

“The World Athletics is here to advise us, because we have to make this relays a memorable one,” he said. ENDS