Sport | Other Sports
Montsho and Kgosiemang carry nation's hopes
Botswana have never won a medal but their best chance this time comes in the 400 metres and the high jump.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:01 August 14, 2008
- US women's 400-metre runner Sanya Richards sprints during an evening practice session in Dalian, Liaoning province, China.
- Image Credit: AP
Beijing: Amantle Montsho and Kabelo Kgosiemang both have a fighting chance of winning Botswana's first-ever Olympic medal.
Montsho shares the fastest 400 metres time of the year with Allyson Felix but the American will only race in the 200 at the Games.
Sanya Richards, another American, was the only other person to have dipped under 52 seconds this year and starts favourite for the final, which takes place on Tuesday.
British world champion Christine Ohuruogu as well as Jamaicans Novelene Williams and Rosemarie Whyte should also be in the mix but Montsho has nothing to fear.
"I know all eyes are on me. I am the world leader and I hope to surprise my country and the people all around," said the 25-year old.
Personal best time
She posted her time of 49.83, a personal best by over a second, at altitude in Ethiopia when winning the African championships in May but was not surprised.
"I was expecting this time," she said.
"I had been training for the African Champs since January."
A year ago her best was over 52 seconds but she took that down to 50.90 when reaching the world championship semi-finals.
Montshothen broke the 50-second barrier in Addis Ababa.
Three solid outings in Europe since then have helped her confidence.
"I have dreamed of the final," she said.
"If I get there, it will be serious.
"Back home they are very proud of me and wishing me good luck."
High jump
High jumper Kgosiemang improved his national record to 2.34m to win his African title in May.
A jump at that height that would have won him a medal in most previous Games.
"It's a great feeling and I am looking forward to it," he said.
"I am focused, confident and ready.
"Botswana has never won a medal in the Olympics so it would be a pleasure for me to win."
The 22-year-old said any Botswanan success in Beijing would be a massive boost for athletics in the southern African country where soccer was the only sport people were really interested in.
"Every kid would grow up and their parents would take them to a football field without trying to find out where they are talented," he said.
"They just buy them a ball and they play football. There is a lot of talent for athletics."
Long jumper Gable Garenamotse, who finished fourth at this year's world indoor championships, will also represent Botswana in Beijing.
But the athlete would be a long outsider to take a medal in the event.
Glody Dube became the first Botswanan to reach an Olympic athletics final when he finished seventh in the Sydney 800 metres.
The men's 4x400m relay team managed to reach the final in Athens four years later.
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