Botswana is contemplating a suit against the IAAF on Isaac Makwala's behalf after quarantine fiasco

kwame

August 10, 2017 2:39 PM

Botswana's government will give $9,700 to Isaac Makwala for his ban by the IAAF.

Botswana's government is fighting the IAAF on Isaac Makwala's behalf plus a $9,700 reward for the athlete

Botswana’s Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development is not taking the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) ban of their athlete likely.

Isaac Makwala, a Botswana athlete was barred from competing in the 200m heat and 400m final on Monday, August 7 and Tuesday, August 8, 2017, respectively. Isaac is reported to have contacted an infectious disease along with other athletes leading to the ban.

Botswana’s government is, however, not happy with the approach by the IAAF as 30-year-old Makwala was quarantined for two days leading him to miss out on the race.

"We won't leave the IAAF (untouched). It's not an issue of whether he had the virus or not but the IAAF's approach. How did they come to their conclusion without testing the athlete?” Thapelo Olopen, Botswana’s Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development questioned.

"You can't pronounce illness without testing the patient. He was told that he had the virus but testing has to be done in order to determine whether he had the virus,” Olopen continued.

As part of support to Isaac Makwala, the government of Botswana is set to award the athlete with $9,700 dollars for his ordeal at the World Championships in London.

The country is also considering legal action against the IAAF for humiliating their athlete.

Makwala was made to run the 200m heat alone at the IAAF World Championships in London and has qualified beating the race time of 20.54 seconds set by the initial athletes in the heat race. The Botswana athlete will compete in the semis.

kwame