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Paris 2024 Olympics offered much to ponder on the track
1. Kishane know how to run but needs a lesson on how to win
The Jamaican power pack dominated the 100m race, leading from the blocks and seemed to be winning it. Noah Lyles on the other hand shook off a slow start and picked Thompson’s pocket at the death. Kishane had the power and pace but lacked the experience to claim victory. The Paris Olympics being his first international championships, he learnt the hard way that running well and winning can be very different things. He looks set to dominate the distance though and could starve the Americans of gold in future competitions.
2. Tebogo is a speed train, best suited for 200m and 400m
The Botswana internal shot to fame when he won the Under 20 200m in Cali, Colombia and set the record. His forays into the senior ranks have encountered ‘teething’ problems but he finally ‘came of age’ in the 200m where he scorched a hugely talented field to win gold medal. He also showed a more resilient trait in the 4x400m relays where he anchored Botswana to silver and gave the USA a run for the top gong. A sixth placed finish in the 100m final (9.86) was a solid outing but Tebogo seems to be more of a 200m/400m than a 100m sprinter.
3. Stage fright is Omanyala’s biggest opponent
The Olympics commentator likened him to a menacing boxer when he won Heat 2 in 10.08 and booked a lane in the semifinals. No one seemed to threatening in that Heat and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, despite starting slow off the blocks, gained his momentum and finished first.
In the semifinals though, lining up with the likes of Kishane Thompson, the Kenyan lacked his exuberance, looked small and tensed. Carrying the weight of an expectant nation on his shoulders, Omanyala crumbled under the pressure, again. It happened in Tokyo, Oregon and Paris was not different. The speed is there within him. The power is also with him. The technique is in no doubt. He just needs to shake off the stage fright.
4. Africa will dominate the 200m
Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia, Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba both of Zimbabwe! African athletes made up four of the eight finalists in the men’s 200m at Paris Olympics. It may be too soon to proclaim it but African sprinters are rising to the occasion. Tarsis Orogot of Uganda is pushing hard to join the elites and many others from Nigeria, Ghana and elsewhere are clamoring for the big time. It is only a matter of time before they barge into the party and shove aside the Americans and Jamaicans.
5. Akani Simbine is the nearly man
Ordinarily, a 9.82 second performance in the 100m would get you a medal if not the win itself. But on that balmy night in Paris Akani Simbine could only muster 4th. He ran well, showed great strength, acceleration and composure but was still not good enough to win the ultimate prize, or medal. He has had several of those missed chances on the global stage over the years. Makes you wonder if he’s the nearly man of global sprints.
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