22 Jul 2024

This year will be Botswana’s 12^th participation at the summer Olympics, which will be staged in Paris, France from July 26 to August 11.

Botswana made its Olympic Games maiden appearance in Moscow in 1980,  where some athletes represented the country, and at that time, they did not bring any medal home. 

Lucien Josiah competed in both 100m and 200m, Joseph Ramotshabi in 400m, Landa Modungo was competing in 800m while Ishamael Chideka competed in 1 500m. 

In the 10 000m Botswana was represented by Golekane Mosweu, while in the 400m hurdles there was Wilfred Kareng. Since then, Botswana continued to have representation at the Summer Olympics without making it to the podium, until in 2012 when little known Nijel Amos won a silver medal in 800m. The country second medal was by the men’s 4x400m men’s relay team made up of Isaac Makwala, Bayapo Ndori, Zibane Ngozi, Baboloki Thebe, Leungo Scotch and Anthony Pesela. This time around, expectations are high and Batswana will be waiting in anticipation to see how many and which colour medal the athletes will bring.  Fourteen athletes two from swimming and 12 athletics have been given the burden to raise the country’s flag high.

Swimming is represented by Andrian Robinson, who will be competing in the 100m breastroke and Maxine Egner in 100m free style. In athletics, the nation will pin its hopes in Letsile Tebogo, who will be doubling in 100 and 200m, while 400 metres has Leungo Scotch, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi.

In 800m, the country will be represented by Kethobogile Haingura, Tshepiso Masalela and Tumo Nkape, while the 800m women has Oratile Nowe and Victor Ntweng in 400m hurdles. 

The 4x400m men’s relay is made up of Lee Eppie, Anthony Pesela, Boitumelo Masilo, Ndori, Scotch and Kebinatshipi.

Former Botswana Athletics Association, administrator, Patrick Moesi said the country had a crop of young and promising athletes who capable of surpassing previous performances at the Olympics.  He said the past performances at the World Relays in Bahamas, last World Championships in Budapest had shown how competitive athletes could be when competing at world level. “This season has seen notable performances and progressions by our athletes which clearly make us medal hopeful.  This could possibly be our best Olympics,” he said. ENDS