Letsile wipes doping tears
Mqondisi Dube | Monday July 18, 2022 16:00
After the Zebras and Mares had done reasonably well in their respective COSAFA Cup and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations assignments, three doping incidents reared their ugly heads to foul the celebratory mood.
The strong stench of doping swept across the country, with particularly the Nijel Amos case leaving a sour taste. Amos was ruled out of the World Championships at the 11th hour after returning a positive test for a banned substance. It was a crushing blow, coming just days after long and triple jumper, Thalosang Tshireletso had been found on the wrong side of the anti-doping rules. Then enter the effervescent Tebogo, who made his World Championships bow in Oregon on Saturday morning.
With the spotlight not firmly on the 19-year-old, Tebogo took the opportunity to remind the world of his undoubted talent, with both hands. Just months after he was denied a world junior record through a technicality, Tebogo this time picked the perfect stage and did it in front of the full world glare. The Kanye lad had smashed the world junior record in April, running 9.96secs during the Gaborone International Meet.
However, World Athletics refused to recognise the record arguing a zero gun test had not been performed prior to the race. Tebogo was naturally shattered but as they say, ‘you can’t put a good man down’. He waited for the perfect opportunity in a Heat line-up that had one-time athletics’ golden boy, Yohan Blake and blazing hot South African, Akani Simbine. With a brilliant take-off, Tebogo sped away from the cluster to smashing a long-standing record, set by Trayvon Brommell in 2014.
It is scary that Tebogo is still a teenager and probably yet to hit his full strides, which should be an ominous sign for his opponents. He will be 21 at the next World Champions and the Olympic Games, and the world might yet to see the best of Tebogo.
He might have bowed out in the semi-finals but Tebogo has left a mark that cannot be ignored. Tebogo’s mature showing is assuring for the nation as the likes of Amantle Montsho and Isaac Makwala exit the big stage, while there is uncertainty around Amos’ future.
However, doping is proving to be the constant party spoiler. Two of the countries top athletes in Montsho and Amos have violated the anti-doping rules. It is a concern that authorities need to address urgently before Botswana is viewed in bad light by anti-doping bodies. You don’t want your athletes to be under constant surveillance and made suspects just because of a few individuals. Athletes are responsible for what goes into their body, which therefore calls for maximum alertness.