Botswana got the nod to host the international meet and authorities have been hard at work trying to put together an event that will leave lasting impressions with the eyes of the world firmly on the southern African country.
The last-minute withdrawal of Jamaican sprint star, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has taken a bit of shine from the event, but there is still a formidable heavyweight presence for the huge local crowd expected at the National Stadium.
The men’s 100m has some interesting names with a strong African presence headlined by the continent’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala. He set the African record of 9.77 in his home country in September 2021.
However, the Kenyan will come face to face with the shortest distance’s rising star and local favourite, Letsile Tebogo. Tebogo, who will run with the seniors this year after graduating from the junior ranks, holds the world’s 100m Under-20 record. The youngster is not too far off Omanyala’s record with his time of 9.91 the best for juniors in the world. Tebogo was drafted into the 100m list at the 11th hour, setting up a potentially exciting showdown with Omanyala. Marvin Bracy, Kenny Bednareck and Kyree King all from the United States, add an exciting twist to a strong line-up. It is the in the 200m that eyes will be on Canada’s Andre De Grasse, with the Olympic champion expected to cruise to victory.
Tebogo is on the starting list as so is local boy, Anthony Pesela. Jerome Blake and Aaron Brown, both from Canada pose a potent threat. Veteran Isaac Makwala will take part in the 400m which has leading star, Kirani James who starts as the overwhelming favourite. In the women’s section, Carina Horn and Twanisha Terry are also part of the star-studded cast. The Golden Grand Prix spokesperson, Calistus Kolantsho indicated it is all systems go as the athletes have arrived.
The last batch was expected later yesterday. “All athletes have arrived. As we speak the likes of Sha'Carri Richardson, Tee Tee Terry, Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake are training at the National Stadium,” Kolantsho said yesterday afternoon. Some of the star athletes will face the media tomorrow ahead of the Saturday showdown. “At the organising committee we are on the ground trying to ensure everything is in place. World Athletics officials are here as well,” he said. He said mobilisation can be a challenge, particularly considering the magnitude of the organisation. Kolantsho said the venue is ready to host the event. He said on Saturday the programmes will be split into two; where there is the morning schedule that caters for locals and athletes from the region. The morning programme starts at 9am, before the main event that will feature the international event at 2pm.
