Friday, August 10, 2012

Botswana Gets First Ever Olympic Medal!!

Last night the 800 metre men's final at the 2012 Olympics was magical. As the Kenyan, David Rudisha broke the world record for the 800 metres with a time of 40.91 seconds with relative ease, few noticed that history was being made right behind him. 18 year old Motswana, Nijel Amos, took the silver medal in a world junior record time of 1:41.73 and was written into the history books as the first Motswana ever to take home a medal from the Olympics.

At the start of the Olympics, when our four member team set out for London, Batswana were fairly confident that this would be our year to finally get a medal. 400 metre star Amantle Montsho was almost certain to bring home a medal. She'd done wonders in India at the Commonwealth games and stood as the fastest woman at that distance. In her heats and even in the semi-finals she looked confidant and right on track. But sadly she missed out in the finals, a hair's breath behind the bronze winner. The country began to accept that maybe we would go home empty handed.

But then there was Nijel. In his heat he looked good. In the semi-finals I got a bit worried he looked like he was really pushing himself to the limit. And then there was last night's final. He ran such a mature confident race, holding back until he was needed and then giving everything. It really was a wonderful thing to behold.

Congratulations to Nijel Amos!!! Fantastic job!

6 comments:

Joyful said...

wow! Congratulations to Nigel and to Botswana. I didn't catch the race but perhaps in reruns.

Selma said...

An incredibly inspiring win. Brought tears to my eyes. That's what the Olympics is all about for me!

Tania Hershman said...

Huge congratulations, such lovely news!

TJ Dema said...

Go Nijel! I really do hope that as a country we will think a bit harder about what it takes to build/support our champs-in-waiting. But for now well done Nijel, and thank you.

Thuso said...

History in the making. Anticipating more medals in 2016. Preparations should start now. Congratulations to Nijel and his team

avdrdr2 said...

Congratulations...I was thinking of you while watching the race--wondering if the announcer would use the term Motswana! Great to see smaller countries making it to the podium. Best wishes for 2016.