2006-02-15Staff Report 2 "By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK The Namibia Sportswoman of the Year and middle distance queen Agnes Samaria has suffered a stress fracture in her right foot and is now in serious doubt for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. With the Commonwealth Games taking place in two months' time, Samaria, who is Namibia's best hope of getting a medal at the friendly games, now needs four to six weeks' rest. The softly spoken middle distance runner broke the news to the media yesterday after informing the Namibia Olympic Committee (NOC), Athletics Namibia (AN) and her official sponsor Mobile Telecommunications (MTC). Samaria said heavy training usually causes the injury. ""During the past week I have been training at the Olympic Swimming Pool in Olympia to keep fit and strong. ÃÆ'Æ'ÀÃ...ÃÆ''šÃ‚ºTraining in the pool does not put pressure on the foot, but it is very hard and tiresome."" She noted that in the next two weeks she would have complete rest under her doctor's supervision. ""I will do my utmost best, although it will be very difficult, to get ready for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne."" Following the injury Samaria has requested the NOC to grant her a later flight, probably five days before the games. ""This would give me more recuperation time and I will be able to benefit longer at high altitude which is important for middle distance athletes."" The injury to Samaria is not a blow to Samaria but to the Namibian team as she has taken over the leadership role after Frank Fredericks retired two years ago. Samaria is also the most experienced active athlete at the moment. She noted that this year she skipped the European Indoor season so that she could commit herself fully to the preparations for the games. Samaria, who won a bronze medal at the last Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, said she is aiming to get gold in Australia. ""It was my intention to run two races in South Africa at the end of the month as part of my preparations. ÃÆ'Æ'ÀÃ...ÃÆ''šÃ‚ºUnfortunately, I had to cancel these. I will run a time trial a week before the games to measure my fitness and readiness and thereafter make my final decision."" Samaria has been prone to injury and has been plagued by injury during crucial stages of her career. Samaria, who suffered a niggling knee injury on the eve of the Athens games, recorded her best time when she clocked 1:59.15 at the last Commonwealth Games and has not managed to break that record ever since. The closest that Samaria came to breaking her self-set record was when she timed 1:59.16 in an 800-metre discipline two years ago. ""Not many get to reach the line before two minutes,"" she reassured herself." 2006-02-15Staff Report 2
