BEING passionate about athletics, it has been my dream to be a spectator at an Athletics World Championship. I touched down at Domodedovo International Airport, Russia, on August 10 for the 14th IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Championship. I had never been to Russia before but with a Google map of the metro system and tourist information, plus briefing from the Namibian Ambassador in Russia, I was more than ready to realise my dream.
My first contact with the locals made me realise that if you are not conversant in Russian, you are on your own for survival, but due to the international event, police were everywhere, which gave me comfort.
My presence at the metro stations was the focus of attention for obvious reasons but in a way made me feel like a “celebrity”. The rest is history as they say or you will have to wait for my autobiography.
The first day saw the Namibian athletes coming up against the East African dominance in the women’s marathon. Mo Farrah of Great Britain won the 10 000m against the Ethiopians and Kenyans in his quest for double gold. The opening ceremony saw the Russians put up a spectacular show before President Putin declared the 14th Championship officially open.
In the championship’s history, double champions were mostly limited to the sprint events and certain performances leading up to the championship, as history was beckoning for Moscow. The championship also presented me with an opportunity to meet former and current world champions and record holders through interactive sessions.
Namibia needs to reflect and decide whether we want to continue being participants or competitors. It was disappointing that not a single Namibian at worst improved on their personal best. Excuses for funding can no longer be justified for poor performances. We must rather start thinking out of the box. Selection of athletes must no longer be solely based on qualification standards when it is far below the world leading times and distances.
Cuba is an island country at the height of the oppressive embargo but produces some of the greatest athletes of modern time from home grown development initiatives. The current high jump world record of 2,45m, is held by the legendary Cuban, Sotomayor. Other notable champions include Ana Quirrot, Ivan Carcia, and Ivan Pedroso.
Why are we not engaging our Cuban friends for assistance instead of always looking West? The Caribbean islands are a force to reckon with in modern athletics.
I will take from the championship the memories of Bolt and the Jamaican dominance in the sprints, Mo Farah becoming the only man besides Kenenisa Bekele to win a double gold in the long distances, Kenyan Kiplagat becoming the 1st women to win back to back marathon titles and the class of the Kenyans in what has become their own 3000m steeplechase. With David Rudisha’s absence from this championship it still remains my wish to watch the fastest athlete over 800m running live.
As the saying goes, “All good things come to an end.” The curtain of the 14th Championship came down with the closing ceremony that saw the championship handed over to the Mayor of Beijing City as the host for the 15th edition. The Russian athletes did not disappoint before the home crowd by topping the medal standing with a total of 17 medals (7 gold).
The 13th IAAF World Championship was held against the background that it is the single biggest sports event, on par with the FIFA World Cup and the biggest sport competition of 2013. The Local Organising Committee deserves my out most compliments on a job well done.
By Nico Kaiyamo