OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Dear Batswana and well wishers.
It is with great sadness that we announce the withdrawal of Baboloki Thebe from the Men's 400m semi final event here at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
This withdrawal is as a result of the recurrence of an injury from the past. Us at the BNOC, like all Batswana and our well wishers would have liked to see Baboloki compete tonight and make it to the finals as we were confident he would.
However, forcing him to compete with an injury would potentially have resulted in him failing to perform tonight, and even worse, exacerbate his injury such that it would take much longer to heal and/or put him out of Athletics completely.
We will make sure Baboloki receives good medical attention to heal soon, so that he can continue to represent Botswana ably and win us medals in future.
Meanwhile, our spirits should not be dampened. Remember we still have two very strong contenders in the Men's 400m event taking place very shortly, in Isaac Makwala and Karabo Sibanda. Then of course the Men's 4 X 400m relay.
Thank you for all the support and do keep the team in your prayers.
TD Serufho
BNOC CEO
(Pic:MONIRUL BHUIYAN/PRESS PHOTO)