Two More Athletes Qualify For Rio
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday May 23, 2016 15:39
This means 12 athletes have now booked their flight to Rio for the August games.
Baboloki Thebe also improved his initial qualification time of 45:23 after winning the men’s 400 metres yesterday.
Thebe clocked 44.22 seconds while second-placed, Sibanda made it to Rio with a time of 45.40 seconds. Leaname Maotoanong slightly missed the standard qualifying time after registering 46.32 seconds.
Sibanda said he is not under any pressure and his focus will be to improve his time.
“I know I can do a much better time. I can reduce it maybe to clock 44 seconds.
I wasn’t expecting to qualify for the Olympics; I was not under any pressure. I won’t feel much pressure because my times are one of the best in Botswana,” Sibanda said.
For his part, the 400 metre champion, Thebe said he was not surprised by the time he clocked since it has always been his target.
“I am not surprised. It has always been my target to run a better time. The coach has always inspired me to run the (set) time and I am really happy.
There was pressure at the beginning since the times clocked were achieved without any major efforts in other races, but I forgot everything as soon as I placed my hands on the track line. Sub 44 is the time that I will work on going to the Olympics,” Thebe said.
Botlogetswe secured her Brazil ticket in 52:15 becoming the third woman to get a straight ticket to the Olympics. Goitseone Seleka was second in 53:41 while South African Zoe Engler finished third in a time of 53:68.
Botlogetswe said she did not have any plan getting into the race, but worked on her mentor’s instructions. She further said she will work on improving her time to run sub 50.
“My coach gave me his plan and I followed it and managed to conquer.
I am so excited, the coach told me to run on curves and relax on straights. I am going to improve the time because I believe I can run below 50 seconds,” Botlogetswe said.
Other athletes who have qualified are Nijel Amos (800m), Isaac Makwala (400m), Onkabetse Nkobolo, Lydia Jele and swimmer, Naomi Ruele.