The stumble that stunned a nation

NIGEL PIC Getty Images
NIGEL PIC Getty Images

Stunned silence swept through Gaborone on a typical spring Sunday afternoon. Athletics’ pin-up boy, Nijel Amos stuttered, stumbled before crashing out of the 800m semi-finals of the World Championship in China. The nation expected gold, but was instead served a cold Beijing dish of disappointment, Staff Writer, MQONDISI DUBE

When Botswana’s World Championships team left the hopes of an expectant nation hung on the country’s most trumpeted athlete, Nijel Amos. He was seen as Botswana’s brightest hope for a medal after a stellar year and some dominant displays since his London 2012 silver medal.

Amos had brutally dominated his six of the seven meetings against world record holder, David Rudisha since 2012.

Editor's Comment
Mob justice isn't just

A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was...

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