Frank Fredericks, a celebrated figure in Namibian sports, on Wednesday night, shared his reflections on the late Sam Nujoma’s profound influence on the nation, particularly during Namibia’s early years of Olympic participation.
Fredericks reminisced about the historic 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, a momentous occasion f o r the country.
Namibia’s debut at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics marked a significant turning point, with Nujoma playing a pivotal role in the team’s participation. As part of the delegation that saw the team off, Nujoma’s presence was a source of immense inspiration for the athletes.
Fredericks, who had the honour of carrying the Namibian flag, described the experience at the time as a “heavy but delightful weight,” symbolising the continuation of Namibia’s journey on the sports stage, an opportunity made possible by Nujoma’s efforts during the liberation struggle.
“ His presence meant the world to us, we were not just representing ourselves, but we were representing a free Namibia, a Namibia he had fought so hard to see flourish,” remembers the sprinter.
He was talking at Nujoma’s residence during a memorial service where the sport community shared their tributes. Nujoma died in Windhoek on 8 February.
Fredericks fondly recalled leading the Namibian contingent into the Olympic stadium in Barcelona, a moment that brought tears to his eyes. The atmosphere, according to him evoked memories of a song popular during the pre-independence era, a tribute to Nujoma’s leadership and his role in shaping Namibia.
“At that moment I recalled a song that many Namibians sang back home before independence: “Sam ouli peni? Yelula epandela, Yelula epandela, olya Namibia!”, which translates to “Where are you, Sam? Come and raise our flag and show our Namibia”. The crowd then joined Fredericks in singing it.
In 1992, Fredericks secured Namibia’s first Olympic medals, claiming silver in both the 100 and 200-metre (m) races. He clocked 10.02 seconds in the 100m dash, narrowly missing the gold by 0.06 seconds.
To date, Fredericks remains the sole Namibian athlete to have achieved medals at both the Olympic and World Championship levels. His Olympic journey includes four silver medals.
Nujoma’s support extended to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where his belief in the athletes underscored his passion for sports as a unifying force. Nujoma recognised the potential of sports not only as a platform for excellence but also to foster national unity and development.
Fredericks emphasised that Nujoma’s leadership paved the way for numerous opportunities, allowing Namibian athletes to compete under their own flag.
In 1991 , Fredericks secured Namibia’s first World Championship medal and set an African record in the 100m, solidifying his status as Africa’s fastest man from the youngest country. The Namibian cabinet conveyed their pride and joy, acknowledging Fredericks’ achievement in placing Namibia on the world map.
Fredericks further cherished the memory of gifting Nujoma a pair of his running spikes as a token of appreciation for his inspirational leadership. Nujoma’s unwavering support for sports remains etched in Fredericks’ memory.
Throughout his career, Fredericks remained active in sports administration, holding positions within the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Associations of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)5.
The sports community united to honour Nujoma’s contributions. Figures such as Nestor Tobias and Ndeulipula Hamutumwa acknowledged his role in Namibia’s entry into the global sports arena through the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation in 1991.
-mndjavera@nepc.com.na