Thebe went to Rio with injury
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday August 24, 2016 14:22
Thebe had qualified to compete in the 200m, 400m and was to be part of the 4x400m relay team. But he only managed to compete in the 400m heats before pulling out with an injury.
Thebe told Mmegi Sport yesterday during the team’s arrival that he picked the injury during the IAAF Under 20 World Championships held in Poland in July. Thebe said they were hopeful that the injury would not be a challenge at the Olympics.
“The muscle started giving me problems during training before the first Olympic race and I thought I would be fit to compete. That proved difficult for me,” he said.
Thebe said he would be going for treatment in Italy in September. He said that by next year, he would be ready to compete at the World Championships.
For his part, Nijel Amos admitted that he has a bad season blighted by injuries. The 800m runner is also going for treatment in Italy.
“I had a bad season. I started training a few months before the Olympics. I was not in a good shape. My expectation is to go back, work hard and compete at the World Championships next year,” Amos told Mmegi Sport.
He said a slump in performance happens to any athlete and he has taken it in his stride.
Rio 2016 Chef de mission, Moses Moruisi said Thebe’s injury is expected to take longer to heal than that of Amos. He said the injury needs surgery amongst other treatments.
“When the injury occurred, we asked for assistance from Nike physiotherapists because they had the necessary equipment. We did not foresee that happening hence we did not bring our own equipment,” he said.
Moruisi said despite the injuries, the team performed well especially juniors, Thebe and Karabo Sibanda. He said the two excelled and registered good times.
The team arrived to a rousing reception just after midday and was taken around town in a motor procession before the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng’s address at the University of Botswana open arena. Today, a welcome lunch will be hosted for the team.
Botswana sent 12 athletes, who included two from swimming, one from judo with athletics providing nine.
The 4x400m team and Sibanda (400m) managed to reach the finals but failed to get to the podium, both finishing fifth.