Amos targets 2025 World Championships return
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday May 18, 2024 06:00
In 2023, a four-year ban was handed to Amos, which was later reduced to three, after being found to have used a banned substance on the eve of the 2022 World Championship held in Oregon, the United States.
His ban runs from the time he was suspended in August 2022, which means he will be eligible by the time the 2025 edition is held in Tokyo next year in September.
In 2012, the 800m runner became Botswana's first-ever Olympic Games medallist when he won silver in London. But his career tapered off with the doping incident, which has sidelined the Marobela-born runner. Now, Amos is targeting a return to Tokyo, where his last major competition, the 2020 Olympic Games was held in 2021 due to delays caused by COVID. 'I’m targeting to be back by then (World Championships).
Somehow it's kind of full circle for me.
My last championship before the ban was in Tokyo at the Olympics, where I got in an unfortunate collision with American athlete, Isaiah Jewett, during the semi-final,' Amos told MmegiSport this week. Following the collision, Amos was later reinstated to compete in the final but finished a disappointing eighth as the star has failed to add further Olympic glory to his sole silver collection from 2012. Despite the forced break, Amos believes he will be in good shape when he returns to the track next year. 'I'm fit...(I have) been training. I trust my talent. Qualifying for the championship won't be a problem.
Now I'm working hard to be able to match the podium time (and) be able to show up three rounds all well executed,' Amos said. However, Amos who turned 30 in March, said he will not be on the track for long. 'I have done almost everything on track. I have had a good run. I'm coming back to close the chapter in a good way. So won't be out there many years.' During his ban, Amos has seen American producers put together a documentary, 'From Marobela To The World' about his rise to world stardom including his low moments. The tell-all documentary is due for release in August. Amos said that the ban has come at a cost.
'Definitely there are some setbacks and delayed goals that came with being out for a while but I'm grateful for another opportunity to showcase my God-given talent to the world,' he said. Last year, during a press conference in Gaborone soon after his ban, he indicated that he was exploring ways to sell his 2012 medal valued at P4.5 million, with its value potentially rising to P7.5 million with the expected release of his documentary.