Johannes ends meek Olympics for Namibia

There was no fairytale ending for Helalia Johannes at the Olympic Games, after placing 68th in the women’s marathon yesterday.

Johannes finished the gruelling course in two hours, 38 minutes and 36 seconds. She was about 16 minutes later than The Netherlands’ history-maker Sifan Hassan.

Hassan ran an Olympic marathon record 2:22:55, just days after winning bronze the 5 000 and 10 000 metre track races.

World record holder Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia took the marathon silver after finishing just three seconds after the Ethiopian-born Hassan, with Kenya’s Hellen Obiri third at 2:23:10.

Johannes completed an underwhelming showing for Namibia at the global spectacle, three years on from the euphoria and pride that engulfed the nation courtesy of a pair of teenage sensations.

This time around, there is little to celebrate other than the spirited manner in which Namibia’s four athletes went about their craft when up against the best in the world.

Phillip Seidler was the penultimate Namibian to be in action when he swam in the men’s 10km marathon swimming gold at the Olympics on Friday.

Unfortunately, he retired from the race after six kilometres, due to injury.

The Paris Games marked the fifth and final Olympics for Johannes (43), Namibia’s evergreen ‘Marathon Queen’.

And, while it may not have gone according to script in Paris, France, for Johannes, the enduring impression of her illustrious career is one of excellence, the Namibia National Olympic Committee [NNOC] said yesterday.

If this indeed is the end for Johannes, she leaves the international stage with a Commonwealth Games gold from 2018 and a 2019 World Athletics Championships bronze.

“Congratulations to Namibia’s marathon queen, Helalia Johannes, on an admirable achievement at her fifth Olympic Games! Helalia, you’ve represented Namibia with so much class, and your love for running shines every time you are racing,” the NNOC said on its Facebook page yesterday.

“We wish you all the best for your upcoming birthday next Tuesday, and thank you for representing Namibia so very well. We are so proud of you!

Seidler was hoping to better his Tokyo Games finish in Paris before misfortune struck in a gruelling slog along the final length of the Seine River.

“The most unexpected challenge arose. Within the first few hundred metres, I collided with a buoy, injuring my shoulder. I tried to stay strong, ignoring the discomfort and pushed, fighting for six kilometers until the current overpowered me,” Seidler posted on his socials on Saturday.

“Yet, despite the outcome, I do not feel defeated but emboldened by bravery. This has been the most memorable and exhilarating Olympic experience of my life.”

Hungary’s Kristof Rasovszky won the race, holding off German silver medallist Oliver Klemet, with another Hungarian in David Betlehem claiming bronze.

“We are proud of Phillip and his incredible effort in the Olympic Marathon swim! Even though things didn’t go as planned, his determination and bravery truly shone through,” the NNOC said.

“While circumstances forced him to withdraw, Phillip’s resilience and spirit are a true testament to his strength. This experience has only made you stronger, and we’re all looking forward to seeing where your journey takes you next,” the NNOC said.