As Botswana’s athletes prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games, maintaining peak performance will require more than just physical prowess, according to a top sports scientist.
Professor Tshepang Tshube, a respected lecturer in Sports Science at the University of Botswana said athletes must have psychological resilience and strategies to manage pressure and anxiety.
“In the athletes’ village, there’s a lot of pressure and numerous triggers for anxiety,” Professor Tshube explained.
“The most important thing is to ensure that athletes can maintain attentional focus throughout the Games. To achieve this, they should minimise distractions, spend less time in the cafeteria, and focus on relevant tasks in their rooms.”
The professor highlights that the pressure and anxiety levels at the Olympics are exceptionally high. He advises athletes to regulate their anxiety and manage their excitement effectively.
“There should be a mental training program developed prior to the Olympic Games that aligns with the head coach’s physical training plan,” he says.
“The ideal model is athlete-centered, coach-led, and medically supported. This approach incorporates dealing with anxiety, managing emotions, and building athletes’ confidence to ensure success at the Games.”
Professor Tshube underscores the importance of mental toughness and resilience.
“Elite athletes need to develop strategies to cope with the intense pressure of major competitions. Physical strength alone isn’t enough; mental strength is fundamental. At the Olympic Games, everyone is physically capable, but mental acuity makes the difference.”
The support staff plays a crucial role in this mental preparation.
“Our team includes a medical doctor, a psychologist, and a physiotherapist. Athletes should know they have the best support available, which eases their minds and reduces anxiety,” he notes.
“It is also essential for the head of delegation to schedule weekly meetings and assess the team’s state daily. This ensures athletes feel well cared for and supported.”
Addressing the recent doping controversies surrounding Botswana, Professor Tshube advises athletes to focus on their performance and not be swayed by external opinions. “Athletes have no control over what people think or say. It’s best to concentrate on their own performance.”
Injury risks are another significant concern for athletes. “Injuries are often the result of pre-existing conditions or high anxiety levels,” he explains.
“When athletes are not mentally prepared, they are more susceptible to injuries. Therefore, minimising stress is crucial.”
Professor Tshube identifies a major weakness in Botswana’s athletic training: the lack of a strong background in strength and conditioning. “We need to train athletes in this area and have dedicated personnel for strength and conditioning. This helps build a robust foundation during the off-season, minimising injuries during the competition season.”
The Paris 2024 Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, are set to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, in France. Botswana will be represented by Maxine Egner and Adrian Robinson in swimming. In athletics, Botswana will be represented by Victor Ntweng, Oratile Nowe, Tumo Nkape, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, Collen Kebinatshipi, Tshepiso Masalela, and Kethobogile Haingura. Additionally, Botswana’s men’s 4x400m relay team has also qualified.
Meanwhile, Botswana first won an Olympic medal in 2012. On a fine day that year, a young, fresh-faced teenager named Nigel Amos left the world awestruck after earning a silver medal in the 800m at the London Olympics. This was the country’s first-ever podium honor at the global sporting showpiece.
The then 18-year-old lad emerged from obscurity to send spasms of elation and joy throughout the country by finishing second behind Kenyan David Rudisha in a blistering 800m final. Amos recorded a time of 1:41.73 seconds, the third-fastest in the history of the 800m at the time. The most remarkable aspect of his achievement is that it was recorded by a teenager who was largely unknown to the rest of the world when he arrived in London and was expected only to gain some competition experience. Amos’s medal was widely celebrated in Botswana, mostly because, after three decades of participating in the Olympic Games, the country had finally won a medal thanks to this young athlete who gave it his all.
Botswana’s second Olympic medal came at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, where the men’s 4x400m relay team excelled. The team, consisting of Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, Zibani Ngozi, and Bayapo Ndori, set a new African record and became the first African nation to win a medal in the 4x400m relay since 2004, with a time of 2 minutes and 57.27 seconds. Team USA won the relay final in 2:55.70, while the Netherlands came second with a new national record of 2:57.18. This year, the men’s 4x400m team goes into the Olympics highly ranked and poised for another strong performance.
