Let�s pick up the Rio pieces: Bravo Team BW

Mmegi Editor | Wednesday August 24, 2016 11:02

But the count still stands at one Olympic medal in 10 attempts since Botswana made a debut in Moscow 36 years ago. However, the medal count should not depress a hopeful nation as other bigger countries are still battling to break their Olympic duck.

Botswana has done relatively well compared to other more advanced countries with better economies and a larger population to pick talent from. There has been stinging criticism levelled against the team for failure to add to the one medal. Some of the criticism has been harsh, considering that the team recorded a number of new feats in Rio.

The 4x400m relay team reached the finals, pitted against traditional athletics powerhouses, Jamaica, USA, Bahamas, Great Britain and Granada. They appeared on course for a medal finish when they led most of the race only to falter in the last lap, ending up a disappointing fifth. But that finish effectively means Botswana’s relay team is the fifth best in the world. Add to that, young Karabo Sibanda, only 18, finished fifth in the finals of the 400m. Swimmer, David van der Colff improved his personal best. There were disappointing moments too, when the country’s medal hopeful, Amos crushed out in the 800m heats while experienced Isaac Makwala crossed the line behind everyone else in his 400m semi final.

Expectedly, the nation wanted a medal and failure to bring one from Rio will be considered insufficient in some quarters. But at times it is not all about the medals. There is the future which we firmly believe looks bright. A solid foundation has been laid and all hands should be on deck as the country prepares for the Olympic Games in Tokyo in four years’ time. Preparations should go full scale right away; there is no time to rest. Now the target should move from just promising performances to yielding medals.  It'll not be asking for too much from the current crop to win the nation another medal in Tokyo.

The boys and girls have competed at all levels and brought medals, and now it is key that Botswana transforms that to the world’s biggest spectacle, the Olympics. There should be visible evolution, where initially, the country used to send a team for participation, then we move to competing. We risk becoming cannon fodder for critics if we do not evolve as quickly as per the promise that our athletes ooze. Botswana has a talented bunch in athletics and it should reflect on the medal count sooner rather than later.

Those quick to criticise the barren yet promising Rio run should equally be part of the solution moving forward. The nation has to join hands, from individuals, the public and private sector, in building a team that will bring glory.  Sport is no longer a pastime but a massive industry that creates boundless opportunities and there is ample proof that Botswana has sufficient talent to grow in this sector.

 

Today’s thought 

“If I lose some, I trust it’s because I am about to win some.” 

–  Anonymous