Rio 2016: Baboloki Thebe takes on board lessons of Bydgoszcz to Rio – AthleticsAfrica
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Botswana

Rio 2016: Baboloki Thebe takes on board lessons of Bydgoszcz to Rio

Botswana’s wonder kid, Baboloki ‘Hurricane’ Thebe will take on board the lessons of Bydgoszcz disqualification to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Botswana's Baboloki Thebe won the men's 400m Gold medal at the 20th African Senior Championships – Durban 2016 / Photo: Yomi Omogbeja
Botswana's Baboloki Thebe won the men's 400m Gold medal at the 20th African Senior Championships – Durban 2016 / Photo: Yomi Omogbeja

When he left Gaborone for the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships, which ended in Bydgoszcz, Poland, last Sunday, Botswana‘s 400 metres runner Baboloki ‘Hurricane’ Thebe mission was to break the World under-20 record of 43.87 seconds set by American Steve Lewis at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games.

But that was not be as he was disqualified in the men’s 400m semi-finals for a lane infringement after clocking an impressive 44.26 seconds.

Despite not competing in the 400m final, Baboloki Thebe sent a clear message to his track rivals after recording a split of 43.5 to help the Botswana quartet to a silver medal, and African U20 record of 3:02.81 in the 4x400m relays final.

Thebe, who’s the reigning African Senior 400m champion, was given a rousing welcome by the Botswana Athletics Association and the Botswana public on arrival home together with his team-mates from Poland.

He said in an interview that although he was disqualified, that did not make him lose focus in the relay team.

“Look, rules are rules and they have to be obeyed, but what I can tell you is that, I have learned a very good lesson we always learn from our mistakes,” said Thebe.

“What is done is done, I can’t sit here and cry over spilled milk, I am now focusing on the Olympic Games, that is where my focus is currently,” he added.

Thebe has qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the 200m, 400m and will also be part of the Botswana 4x400m relay’s team.

The Athletics competition of the Rio 2016 Olympics will run from August 5-21 at the Rio Olympic Stadium.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Meet The Authors

Website | + Posts

Goitse is a writer, journalist and salsa dancer based in Gaborone, Botswana.

You May Also Like

Botswana

Botswana's Isaac Makwala has achieved what he set out to do, winning his first major championship gold medal with a well-executed 44.35 in the...

Botswana

Botswana's Baboloki Thebe hopes of competing at the 2018 Athletix Grand Prix Series meeting in South Africa are up in smoke due to injury.

Botswana

The City of Francistown will host the second edition of the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Super night track and field series at the Francistown...

Botswana

Rising Botswana's 400m star Baboloki Thebe said missing out on the 2017 IAAF Diamond League Finals after sustaining a grade two rectus femoris tear...

Click to access the login or register cheese