Irate Botswana wants answers from IAAF
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday August 10, 2017 15:51
Addressing journalists in Gaborone yesterday, Olopeng said the whole nation, including President Ian Khama were disappointed and will pursue all available avenues to find out what transpired in London after Makwala was barred from contesting due to a ‘medical condition’. “You can’t pronounce certain illnesses without testing the patient. He was told that he had the virus but according to medical professionals, testing has to be done in order determine that he had the virus,” Olopeng said.
He said they cannot talk about sabotage from IAAF at the moment until they receive an explanation from the world athletics body.
“Makwala was not examined, just one episode of vomiting that can be caused by various elements. The nation is worried about what happend. I have instructed the officials to put a formal protest to make sure that as a country we are respected.”
Olopeng said Khama is also concened about the issue.
“We will continue probing the matter to get to the bottom of it. Not happy at all. Makwala was on top form. This time the athlete was ready to bring the medal home. We can’t tolerate such behaviour from an organisation such as IAAF. We can even go the legal route,” Olopeng said.
The minister said Makwala had been humiliated and now it is up to IAAF to decide what to do to rectify the situation.
He said it would not be financially viable to send a legal team with the team to competitions such as the World Championships.
He said it was an unexpected incident and therefore the Botswana office in London was not involved.
He said Botswana officials were fighting IAAF officials to get Makwala to compete, but the athletics body didn’t respond.
“We won’t leave IAAF easily,” Olopeng said. “It’s not an issue of whether he had the virus or not but the IAAF approach. How did they come to their conclusion without testing the athlete.”
e brink of collapse, as there were reports that a number of executive members at the club have tendered their resignations.
“We have only lost one player, Moathusi Bakwadi, a very good player who has a bright future. But we have not received any resignations.
We are focusing on a tournament we are hosting in February. As a committee, we are looking to promote our club and our events,” Ramahobo said.