Page 96 - Forbes - Africa (March 2020)
P. 96
FORBES AFRICA
UNDER 30 • LUVO MANYONGA
awayfromCapeTown,whichbyhisownadmission theevent,andsoontheday,atleastfiveofuscouldwinthegold–this
was,“whereIhookmyselfupwiththedevil”. meansIjustneedtokeepfocusedonmyselfanddoingmybest,not
“Idowantmylifetobeanexampletoothersthat gettingcaughtupinwhatothersaredoing.”
regardlessofyourpast,youcanstillreachyourdreams Manyangoiswellawarethathealmostlethisdreamdiethroughhis
ifyouworkhardandhavetherightpeoplearoundyou druguse,butifanything,thatperiodhasmadehimmentallystronger
supportingyou,”ManyongatellsFORBESAFRICA. andprovidedmorefuelforhispassion.
“It’s not that I see myselfasarolemodel,butmore Forayoungboywhojustlovedtojump,hesaysthesportchosehim
thatIwanttobeableto ratherthantheotherwayround.“Ijustalwayslovedtojump!WhenI
inspirekidsoutthere wasyoungerIwouldentertainmyfriends by jumping over cars. So in
thatcomefromtough many ways long jump chose me.”
I do want my life to be an backgroundstofind
example to others that somethingtheyare
passionateaboutand
regardless of your past, followthat. THE CORONAVIRUS
“Iamsoblessedto
you can still reach your beabletoprovidefor THREAT TO THE
dreams if you work hard myselfandmyfamily TOKYO 2020
and have the right people nowthroughathletics, OLYMPIC GAMES
around you supporting you. andIwantotherstosee
thattheydon’thaveto
bevictimsoftheirown The deadly coronavirus that has spread through
circumstances,andthat China and beyond has emerged as a big threat to
theyareinchargeoftheirdestiny.” the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games just months out
Fiveyearson,Manyongahaswonasilvermedalat from their July 24 start.
the2016RiodeJaneiroOlympicGames,andclaimed By mid February, there had been nearly 60
goldatthe2017WorldChampionshipsinLondonand confirmed cases in Japan, leading to major
the2018CommonwealthGamesonAustralia’sGold concerns that the flood of athletes and spectators
from around the world who will descend on
Coast. Tokyo could be in danger.
HewillbeatopcontenderinTokyo,wherehecould "I am extremely worried that the spread of the
claimhisgreatestachievementofallifhecanbecomean infectious disease could throw cold water on the
Olympicchampion. momentum toward the Games," Toshiro Muto,
“It’severyathlete’sdreamtowinOlympicgoldand chief executive of the Tokyo Olympic organizing
certainlygoingintotheeventthatisatarget,andIam committee, told Japanese broadcaster NHK.
confidentIamdoingallIcantotryreachthatgoal.It’s "I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as
goingtobeatoughcompetitionthough,”headmits. possible.
“Thereareatleastfourorfiveguysthatcould “We need to make sure the public, the athletes
competeforthetitle(inTokyo).Thismakesitavery and stakeholders feel safe and secure. We have to
excitingevent. be objective and cool-headed as we don't want
to instigate a sense of fear."
“IamfocusedonmakingsureIamtickingallthe Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the
rightboxesandleavingnothinguptochance.Together country’s parliament that the Games would go
withmyteam,Iwillchoosetherightcompetitions(and ahead as planned. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images; Illustration by Good_Stock / Getty Images
timesofrest)tomakesureIam100percentreadyfor "We will take appropriate
theGames.” measures so that the
Manyongahasbeenplottinggoldessentiallysince preparation for the Olympic
thelastOlympicGamesinRio,andheishappywith Games will proceed without
preparationsinthelast12months. affecting them."
“OverthepastfewyearsmycoachandIhavefigured What is not in Japan’s
outwhatworksformeandmybody,andhavekept control though is how the
Tokyoinmindsincelastyearalreadyintermsofmy virus spreads around
the world, and what
trainingandcompeting. restrictions they may have
“Iwasveryhappywithmyformin2019.Thelong to place on visitors in the
jump has become very competitive, which is fantastic for future.
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