Moorosi Tsiane

THE Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) last Monday announced Lesotho’s representatives at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to be held from 5 to 21 August 2016.

The eight-member team Lesotho is set to compete in the sporting codes of athletics, cycling and boxing

The inclusion of 800-metre runner Tšepang Sello into the team was a welcome development for me. Sello received a universality placing by the International Association of Athletics Federation after she acquitted herself well in last month’s Confederation of African Athletics Africa Senior Championship held in Durban, South Africa last month.

Sello clocked 2 minutes and 9 seconds in 800 metres, which is just two seconds shy of the Olympic qualifying time of 2 minutes 6 seconds.

The Rio Olympics will be the biggest tournament for the 19-year old runner, and a milestone for which she should be proud.

At the sporting showcase, Sello will compete with the world’s best in her discipline and merely participating alongside them will provide her invaluable exposure. If she were to qualify beyond the initial stages of the competition it would be a bonus.

Sello’s inclusion in the team also increases the country’s chances of notching silverware not just at the Rio games, but also in the medium to long-term.

The Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association needs to nurture this budding talent and make sure she blossoms ahead of the 2020 Olympics.

Age is still on Sello’s side, and there is no doubt that with proper mentorship she can become one of the best in the continent. Star sprinter, Mosito Lehata, has been carrying this country’s hopes on his shoulders for a long time and age is slowly catching up with him.

Of course, the Olympics will not be a walk in the park given the intensity of the competition. However, Sello should not put herself under unnecessary pressure which has a demoralising effect.

Participating at the Olympics speaks volumes about her potential, and all she needs to do is enjoy the experience.