The time is now
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday August 8, 2017 15:05
Makwala and Thebe are part of the nine runners who qualified for the 400m final, while Amos runs in the 800m.
The 800m finals take place at 10:35pm with the 400m finals following 15minutes later.
Thebe qualified for the final after clocking a season’s best (SB) of 44.02 which is also his personal best (PB).
Thebe will be running in lane nine, next to Demish Gaye of Jamaica. Makwala qualified for the final with a time of 43.84 (SB) and has a PB of 43.72. He will be in lane seven near the fastest runner and world champion, Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa.
Amos also made it to the 800m finals and is one of the favourites for the gold.
Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho told Mmegi Sport that tonight’s final means a lot to Thebe and Makwala. He said the two stand a good chance of winning medals.
“I expect our team to bring a few medals from London. I think we should expect about three medals from there. The athletes are on top form and there is nothing that can stop them,” he said.
Serufho said it is important for athletes who are under the International Olympic Solidarity sponsorship to qualify and reach the finals of major competitions.
Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) spokesperson, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba shared the same sentiments with Serufho, adding that the lanes allocation is an advantage to Thebe and Makwala. He said the two have had enough time to rest and tonight the target is a podium finish.
Regarding Karabo Sibanda, Ramatshaba said the athlete was injured after he finished seventh in his heat on Saturday. He attributed Sibanda’s loss to lack of proper training due to an injured hamstring.
When quizzed if Sibanda will be part of the 4x400m men’s relay team, Ramatshaba said it was still early to talk about the relay. He said it was up to the coaches to decide if they include him or not.
Meanwhile, Ramatshaba said the Nike sponsorship is still intact.
He said the company delivered hospitality kit to the team before they left for London. He said the team found the running kit and spikes in London.