TJIPEKAPORA Herunga on Tuesday said she is traumatised and battling to focus on competing due to ongoing petty infighting among administrators, which may have cost her an Olympic spot.
The participation of Namibia’s star 400m athlete at next month’s Rio Olympic Games remains a mystery, with the deadline for qualification having passed last week.
With the conundrum weighing heavily on her mind, Herunga is toiling away in Europe, hoping to be physically ready, should the issue be resolved in her favour.
She ended fourth at the European Athletics Association (EAA) Citta di Padova Meeting in Italy on Sunday, posting a lethargic 52,60 seconds in a race won by Jamaican and Commonwealth champion Stephenie Ann McPherson in 50,98. Second was Ukrainian Olha Zemlyak (51,18) with Italian Maria Chigbolu (52,02) finishing third.
A three-time All Africa Games bronze medalist, Herunga ran a steady first 300m, only to lose ground to the front three in the final 100m.
“The race was not easy, but I am taking it one step at a time,” said the 2012 Olympic Games and 2013 world championships semi-finalist.
On the one hand, the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) maintains that she has not met their qualifying criteria of qualifying twice for the Olympics, but Herunga’s coach Letu Hamhola is adamant that she has qualified, and is going ahead with her preparations for Rio.
“This has been the worst period of my whole life. I missed the African Champs in Durban, and I was really looking forward to it. And then there is the Olympic story that is killing me physiologically,” said the 28-year-old.
“I would have thought my people and country will do everything for me to be in the best shape and condition to stand a chance of competing and improving what I did in London. But I was wrong, and feel like an outcast.”
In April, Herunga set a time of 52,03 in Kingston, Jamaica, which was well within the Olympic Games’ qualifying time of 52,20 seconds, while she twice broke that mark at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, winning a bronze medal in a time of 51,51 seconds.
The NNOC said international federations did not recognise the All Africa Games as an Olympic qualifier.
Herunga said the uncertainty has broken her spirit.
“While administrators are fighting, I am suffering, and nobody cares. I have done nothing wrong, but just want to give my best every day for my country. I am far away from my family, and I am wondering why I went to Jamaica for three years. I am really heartbroken and sad.
If I go to the Olympics, some Namibians will be wishing I failed. It was the same last year in Congo. This has to stop; we as athletes need help, not this. I have been quiet all the time because I am supposed to concentrate on running and not politics, but it’s killing me. I have put in four years of hard work, sacrifices and have qualified three times. It’s my Olympic dream,” she stated.
The NNOC said last week that they would hold a meeting with the Namibia Sport Commission regarding the qualification criteria.
“I have received support from friends, family and fans, but it’s really hard and traumatising. My training and competitions have been affected severely.”
“The Olympics is days away, and I feel like a fool when people ask if am I going, and sometimes I wonder what I am training for. Why me, Lord?
“I know coach Letu is trying his best, but he can only do so much. Where is my country [when I need them]? Or am I not Namibian anymore? I cry every night, and I hope and pray no athlete will have to go through this ever again,” she said.
