The number of participants since 1980 has been steadily increasing, but ironically, dropped to the lowest in 2012. The expectation would be that, the more the athletes, the brighter the medal prospects. However, in 2012, with just four athletes at the games, Botswana made history by winning a first ever medal through Amos. When Botswana started competing at the Olympics, held in Moscow in 1980, seven athletes took part. According to the Olympians database, among the athletes was Lucien Josiah, who failed to make it past the heats as he ran 11.15 seconds. In the men’s 200m Josiah also failed to clear the first hurdle as he ran 22.45. Joseph Ramotshabi competed in the 400m and did not advance beyond the heats, while Ishmael Mhaladi (1,500m), Robert Chideka (5,000m), Golekane Mosweu (10,000m) and Wilfred Mosweu (400m hurdles) also did not go far. Curiously, Botswana had middle and long-distance runners at the competition, and that has been replaced by sprints. Four years later in Los Angeles in the US, Botswana was represented by seven athletes from two-sport codes. Sailing joined athletics, which was the sole representative during the country’s debut in Moscow. Ramotshabi (400m and 800m) was the only survivor from the Moscow team and was joined by fellow athletes Kgosiemang Khumoyarona (100m), Kgomotso Balothanyi (1,500m), and marathon runners, Johnson Mbangiwa, Bigboy Matlapeng and Wilson Theleso. Derek Hudson represented the country in sailing. In 1988, Botswana’s participants marginally increased to eight but there was still no woman representing the country.
The 1988 competition held in Seoul South Korea, saw boxing join the ever-present athletics. There was Benny Kgarametso (200m), Sunday Maweni (400m), Bobby Gaseitsiwe (800m), Mbiganyi Thee (1,500m) and Matlapeng returned for the marathon. The 4 x400m team had Gaseitsiwe, Maweni, Kgarametso and Ramotshabi. In boxing, Botswana was represented through Magare Tshekiso (bantamweight) and Shakes Kubuitsile (lightweight). However, there was still no glory for the country at this stage. At the 1992 games, which Barcelona, Spain hosted, the number of Botswana representatives was down to six, with athletics and boxing taking part. France Mabiletsa (light-heavyweight) became the third boxer to represent the country, while athletics had Camera Ntereke (400m), Thee (800m), Gaseitsiwe (1,500m), Zachariah Ditetso (5,000m) and Benjamin Keleketu (marathon). In 1996, the number of athletes was six, again athletics and boxing representing the country in Atlanta, US. Athletics had current coach, Justice Dipeba (200m, 400m), Keleketu (marathon), Agrippa Matshameko, Keteng Baloseng, Rampa Mosweu and Johnson Kubisa (4x400m) while Healer Modiradilo (light-flyweight) was the boxer at the competition. In 2000 at the Sydney, Australia games, history was made when Botswana produced the first ever finalist at the Olympics. Glody Dube powered to the 800m finals, raising hopes of a first ever medal.
