Runner Naigambo struck by flu

WINDHOEK – One of Namibia’s two marathon runners’ training programme for the Summer Olympic Games in China next month has been interrupted by flu and an iron deficiency.

A visibly sick Beata Naigambo said that she picked up the flu on her return from training in South Africa last week, where she did speed training with coach and fellow runner Tobias Hiskia for one week. The iron deficiency has been affecting Naigambo for several years, and also caused her to collapse during the marathon race in Melbourne, Australia in 2006.She was only diagnosed with iron deficiency by Australian doctors after her collapse, and has been receiving treatment ever since.She is now on Vitamin C treatment for the flu and iron tablets to regulate the iron deficiency.Team Namibia medic Donatha Gawanab said Vitamin C is the only treatment athletes can get for flu for fear of accidental doping, adding that the iron tables will boost Naigambo’s blood quality.As part of her preparation, Naigambo has set her sights on defending her title at the Phalaborwa Half-Marathon race in South Africa on Saturday, but will have to see if she recovers in time.She added that the Phalaborwa race will be good for her training as the route is very hilly, the same type of route they can expect in Beijing.The Phalaborwa race would be her last race before the Olympic Games’ marathon.Naigambo’s counterpart, Helalia Johannes, told Nampa on the same day that her training continues unhindered.Johannes, who recently won the South African Half-Marathon championships, said she continues her preparation with training partners Johannes Naitembu, Oscar Komeya and Racher Akukothela.Johannes’ last race in her training program will be defending her title in the Old Mutual Namibia Victory Races Series in Swakopmund on July 19.It will be both marathon runners’ first Olympic Games’ participation.The race is set to take place on August 17.The marathon runners have thus requested the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) to depart closer to race day, and not with the rest of the Namibian contingent on 31 July to avoid too much pollution and humidity.Naigambo said she is wary of the humidity, saying even Chinese marathon runners refuse to run during that time of the year because of the humidity.Naigambo qualified with the 2008 Olympic Games A standard when she ended third overall in the 21st Mangyongdae Prize Marathon held in North Korea on April 5 2008.Her new personal best time of two hours 33 minutes and 17 seconds booked her place for the Summer Games, while Johannes qualified for the Olympic Games in March when she came seventh in the Seoul Marathon in a time of 2:33,06, setting a new Namibian record time at the same time.NampaThe iron deficiency has been affecting Naigambo for several years, and also caused her to collapse during the marathon race in Melbourne, Australia in 2006.She was only diagnosed with iron deficiency by Australian doctors after her collapse, and has been receiving treatment ever since.She is now on Vitamin C treatment for the flu and iron tablets to regulate the iron deficiency.Team Namibia medic Donatha Gawanab said Vitamin C is the only treatment athletes can get for flu for fear of accidental doping, adding that the iron tables will boost Naigambo’s blood quality.As part of her preparation, Naigambo has set her sights on defending her title at the Phalaborwa Half-Marathon race in South Africa on Saturday, but will have to see if she recovers in time.She added that the Phalaborwa race will be good for her training as the route is very hilly, the same type of route they can expect in Beijing.The Phalaborwa race would be her last race before the Olympic Games’ marathon.Naigambo’s counterpart, Helalia Johannes, told Nampa on the same day that her training continues unhindered.Johannes, who recently won the South African Half-Marathon championships, said she continues her preparation with training partners Johannes Naitembu, Oscar Komeya and Racher Akukothela.Johannes’ last race in her training program will be defending her title in the Old Mutual Namibia Victory Races Series in Swakopmund on July 19.It will be both marathon runners’ first Olympic Games’ participation.The race is set to take place on August 17.The marathon runners have thus requested the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) to depart closer to race day, and not with the rest of the Namibian contingent on 31 July to avoid too much pollution and humidity.Naigambo said she is wary of the humidity, saying even Chinese marathon runners refuse to run during that time of the year because of the humidity.Naigambo qualified with the 2008 Olympic Games A standard when she ended third overall in the 21st Mangyongdae Prize Marathon held in North Korea on April 5 2008.Her new personal best time of two hours 33 minutes and 17 seconds booked her place for the Summer Games, while Johannes qualified for the Olympic Games in March when she came seventh in the Seoul Marathon in a time of 2:33,06, setting a new Namibian record time at the same time.Nampa