Botswana is grappling with yet another doping case merely two weeks before the opening of the Budapest World Athletics Championships.
A team member scheduled to participate in Budapest has been withdrawn following a positive test result. This occurrence mirrors a similar incident from a year ago, preceding the World Championships in Oregon, United States, where Botswana was confronted with a doping case involving Nijel Amos. Consequently, Amos faced a three-year ban. In the current case, a female sprinter intended to compete in the World Championships scheduled from August 17 to 27. However, her name has been conspicuously absent from the roster disclosed by the Botswana Athletics Association yesterday.
Reports suggest that the detected substance in the athlete's sample could lead to a four-year ban. Andrew Kamanga, the regional manager of Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organization, emphasised the necessity of collaborative efforts to combat both deliberate and inadvertent doping cases. “We need to enhance education and awareness. We have no choice but to work even harder to protect the integrity of sport,” he said. In response to inquiries regarding the athlete's identity, Kamanga noted that the athlete is yet to acknowledge receipt of the notification. Nevertheless, Mmegi Online is informed that the athlete was made aware of the transgression on Tuesday. Botswana has recently been hit with a series of doping violations, involving prominent athletes such as retired Amantle Montsho, Lydia Jele, and Amos.
