Marathon challenges for Tokyo 2020
Namibian athletes are struggling to qualify for the Olympics because the country does not host any Olympic qualifying marathon.
This has forced most local athletes to seek qualification races outside Namibia, which is costly.
Most of the local marathons, such as the Rössing Marathon and Sanlam Marathon, do not provide qualification standards even though they are measured and accredited by the IAAF.
Erongo sports officer Berthold Karumendu is therefore calling on all stakeholders, the Namibia Sports Commission and the Ministry of Sport to assist the athletes willing to compete in events outside Namibia in order for them to qualify.
“The problem is that you need at least N$250 000 for the winning prizes if you want your races to act as qualification races to the Olympics.
“It is unfortunate that there is no money for Namibia to host marathons at such cost and that is why our athletes have to compete outside in order to seek qualification.
“That is why I call upon Namibians to support these athletes in order for them to travel to competitions where they can qualify,” Karumendu said.
He believes it is best if the athletes qualify early in order for them to start preparing for the Olympics.
So far, there are about 14 athletes who are ready to compete in these events.
Commonwealth medallist and Namibia's road-running queen Helalia Johannes, who won the 2019 Two Oceans Half Marathon race in a time of 1:10: 29 seconds in Cape Town on Saturday, has already qualified for the Olympics.
There are still races like the Gaborone Marathon on 15 May and the Cape Town Sanlam Marathon on 15 September where athletes can secure qualification to the Olympics.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
This has forced most local athletes to seek qualification races outside Namibia, which is costly.
Most of the local marathons, such as the Rössing Marathon and Sanlam Marathon, do not provide qualification standards even though they are measured and accredited by the IAAF.
Erongo sports officer Berthold Karumendu is therefore calling on all stakeholders, the Namibia Sports Commission and the Ministry of Sport to assist the athletes willing to compete in events outside Namibia in order for them to qualify.
“The problem is that you need at least N$250 000 for the winning prizes if you want your races to act as qualification races to the Olympics.
“It is unfortunate that there is no money for Namibia to host marathons at such cost and that is why our athletes have to compete outside in order to seek qualification.
“That is why I call upon Namibians to support these athletes in order for them to travel to competitions where they can qualify,” Karumendu said.
He believes it is best if the athletes qualify early in order for them to start preparing for the Olympics.
So far, there are about 14 athletes who are ready to compete in these events.
Commonwealth medallist and Namibia's road-running queen Helalia Johannes, who won the 2019 Two Oceans Half Marathon race in a time of 1:10: 29 seconds in Cape Town on Saturday, has already qualified for the Olympics.
There are still races like the Gaborone Marathon on 15 May and the Cape Town Sanlam Marathon on 15 September where athletes can secure qualification to the Olympics.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
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