11 August 2008
Beijing — Namibian cyclist Eric Hoffmann might have failed to win a medal on Saturday when he took to the track, the Namibian flag for the first time at the Olympic Games here in Beijing, but he earned himself, his country and the continent, a huge credit.
Hoffmann received numerous praises and applause for being one of the few men who finished what was considered the toughest course in Olympic history, over 248 gruelling kilometres in 6 hours 26 minutes 17 seconds. A third of the riders in the Olympic men's cycling road race failed to complete the course as Beijing's humidity took a punishing toll.
"It was sauna out there," said theman who finished on position 22 out of 143 world's best riders. At least 60 pulled out in the race, which was eventually won by Spanish road cyclist Samuel Sanchez in 6 hours 23 mins and 49 seconds. Defending champion Paolo Bettini finished a disappointing 18th, seconds before the Namibian who missed the Athens Olympics four years ago when he came 18th instead of the required top 15 at the World Championships.
Commentators here said the Namibian could have made it in the top 10 had he acquired the teamwork that Sanchez had.
"Spain won the gold because of the teamwork of Carlos Sastre, Oscar Freire, Alejandro Valcerde and Alberto Contador, who did well throughout the race to pull back a series of breakaways especially from the Italians. Unlike the African cyclist (Hoffman) who did it alone and gave a good impression,"said Jerome Dalieh, from the sidelines of the Great Wall.
Italian David Rebellion took silver while biggest names in the peloton such as Giro d'Italia winner Alberto Contandor (2007 Tour de France champion) or pre-Olympics favourite Stefan Schumacher, could not handle the conditions and were forced out. None of the British quartet finished the race, while others decided that completing such a race would kill their chances in the time trial.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara took the bronze medaldespite having no team-mate to assist him.
Hoffman, the firstof the few African riders to complete the race,admitted that like many riders, he also had no trouble breathing at first but struggled torecuperate in the descents.
What made the race more energy sapping was the fact that it passed through the historic Great Wall amid the 40degrees temperatures. Two South Africans and one Tunisian were the only African riders to finish the race although way out of time.
By midnight in Beijing, Sunday, which is around 5pm in Windhoek, boxer Mejandjae Kasuto was expected to fight Russian Andrey Balanov in what might be his toughest preliminary bout ever. Pundits considered the experienced Russian a favourite because of his body andheight advantage against Kasuto.
"Don't worry, when I am in the ring, all that people say changes into what I want," assured the Namibian.
"We have not been given the official time of the fight but the bouts will start at 19h00 and one may never know how long they will take, but we hope to have a result by midnight," said team leader Joan Smit. Compatriot fighter, Julius Indongo and shooter Gaby Ahrens will also be in action today as Namibia chases its first medals.
The losers in boxing fall-out of the tournament while the winners earn automatic progress to the next round, where gold and silver flow.
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