Letsile Tebogo is carrying the nation's weight of expectation on his broad shoulders when he steps into the purple track tonight in the men’s 100m semi-final.
If he negotiates the semi-final heat, he will proceed to the final amid expectation of a podium finish. The first two in each heat and next two fastest advance to the final. Tebogo is in heat two and he will face stiff competition from Kenneth Bednarek (USA), the defending Olympic champion, Lamont Marcell Jacobs and Akani Simbine (South Africa). The race is set for 8:14pm. Meanwhile, Collen Kebinatshipi makes his Olympics debut by running in lane two of the men’s 400m in heat two. He is in the same heat with some of the fastest one lap contenders in Michael Norman (USA) and Jereem Richards. His heat is at 7:13pm. Bayapo Ndori is in lane three of heat three with the ever energetic Muzala Samukonga from Zambia and Luca Sito of Italy.
He is on the track at 7:21pm. Leungo Scotch is in lane seven of heat five against veteran runner, Kirani James of Grenada and Zakithi Nene at 7:37pm. The first three in each heat of the 400m advance to the semi-final while the remaining contenders take part in the repechage round except those who did not start (DNS), did not finish (DNF) and/or were disqualified (DQ). Speaking to Mmegi Online, athletics coach, Meleko Ndolo said it is a hectic moment for Tebogo but with his composure, he will definitely qualify for the final. “Ndori has been given a bad lane, he does not know how to chase, remember he needs to reserve some energy for the 4x400m relay. We cannot expect him to give us good results. Kebinatshipi and Scotch can attempt qualifying for the semi-finals with their chasing strength,” he said.
