07 Dec 2021

The 400 metres runner, Baboloki Thebe, has returned to Ivory Coast for training under coach, Anthony Koffi.

Thebe left for Ivory Coast on Saturday with the aim to introspect, reflect and focus to prepare for the coming season.

His return to Ivory Coast followed a long break from the field after he failed to hit the qualifying mark for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in August this year, something many deemed a bad season for him.

In an interview, Thebe said he was aware that Batswana believed in him and promised not to dissappoint.

“In life there are hurdles, you fall and stand and move forward. But how you handle the challenges matters. It was indeed a bad season and I have learnt a lot. So it is now time to reflect and focus on the task ahead,” he said.

Thebe said they already had plans for the next season, hence starting training early December and given the tight programme, it would seem there would be no Christmas for him.

He said their ultimate goal was to qualify for the World Athletics Championships billed for Oregon next year July.

“If we qualify early, it will give us enough time to prepare for the competition. Preparing and trying to qualify at the same time will not work for us,” he said.

Thebe was part of the 4x400m relay team that won a bronze medal at the recent Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Meanwhile, some supporters had pinned their hopes on Thebe to win a 400 metres medal at the Olympics or World Championships looking at his performance graph, but that was not to be.

Even in other meets, Thebe did not leave any lasting impression as he performed below what he personally and the nation expected from him.

The last time he put the smile on Batswana’s faces was at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia after winning a silver medal in 400 metres and helping the 4x400m relay team win a gold medal.

Nevertheless, Thebe remains confident that he will improve his performance and do better in the next season. ENDS