Speaking to MmegiSport after the World Athletics declared Botswana men’s 4x100m relay team results as uncertified, Dipeba said questions would always be asked when a European country is dislodged in rankings. The men's 4x100m relay team broke a record and moved to 16th after the 24th African Senior Championships in Cameroon, but their results were classified as uncertified. “They will question a lot of things. There were so many things that were requested from the timers here, at one point, the photo finish for the relay was required. They submitted it, the reaction times were requested and they also submitted them. They just want to find a way to stop us from competing at the Olympics,” he said.
He said that is sad as that is always the case with African events, which are often questioned. He pointed out that even when Letsile Tebogo set a World Record during the Gaborone International Meet (GIM), there were so many things that were required until they found a little loophole not to rectify the record. “These are the things we go through and going forward, as African countries we need to be on our toes. When we host a competition, everything should be up to the world standard. We should not be questioned when we put up a performance,” he said.
Dipeba said the 4x100m team had displaced the Netherlands in the rankings, which is probably why questions are being asked. “Netherlands will write to World Athletics and ask if they are sure about the results, where it was done or the timers. The timing machine will even be checked if it is up to date. It is a worrisome situation. It is now up to the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) to protect their name(s) and make sure that what they do is legit and can match the world. If they cannot do that, what will we think about African results? We will always question them and we do not want to be in that situation,” Dipeba said. He said in the meantime they will wait, hoping things go their way in order to send the 4x100m team to Paris.
