Masilingi and Mboma given diet freedom
Allowed to eat ice-cream and to be youngCoach Henk Botha has revealed that he is not putting any pressure on the athletes and expects them to have a normal life during their off-season.JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK Beatrice Masilingi and Christine Mboma have been given the freedom to eat whatever they want during their off-season.
Their nutrition freedom will be short-lived, however, as they will resume training in November.
“This is the only time that they are off and the only time that they can be young, so I told them to eat as many ice-creams as they can because they will not have that opportunity when November starts,” coach Henk Botha has said.
The life of an elite athlete is far from that of an ordinary person, given the strict diet required during the season.
Athletes are encouraged to eat peanut butter and honey on crackers, fruit and yogurt smoothies, low-fat cottage cheese, lean hamburger or chicken on a whole-wheat bun before competitions.
They are not allowed to have high-fat foods such as potato chips, hot dogs, chocolate or doughnuts.
Athletes are advised to avoid carbonated beverages (such as cooldrink), because they may cause stomach discomfort during the competition.
“As a coach, one also has to advise them not to have these foods they do not normally enjoy in excessive amounts,” Botha said.
Athletes are also expected to behave impeccably at all times, given that they are public figures and brand ambassadors. Botha is confident that this will not be a problem for the two well-mannered young sprinters.
Mboma and Masilingi had a dream season, with both of them collecting several local and international accolades.
The athletes reached the 200-metre final of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with Christine Mboma winning a silver medal.
“They are however still aware that the season is not so far away from starting and we will have to go back to the drawing board as soon as November starts.
“This will mean that they will have to say goodbye to the food they are enjoying right now and back to the lifestyle.
“This is really just a time to be a normal human being and enjoy life as young people,” Botha added.
WINDHOEK Beatrice Masilingi and Christine Mboma have been given the freedom to eat whatever they want during their off-season.
Their nutrition freedom will be short-lived, however, as they will resume training in November.
“This is the only time that they are off and the only time that they can be young, so I told them to eat as many ice-creams as they can because they will not have that opportunity when November starts,” coach Henk Botha has said.
The life of an elite athlete is far from that of an ordinary person, given the strict diet required during the season.
Athletes are encouraged to eat peanut butter and honey on crackers, fruit and yogurt smoothies, low-fat cottage cheese, lean hamburger or chicken on a whole-wheat bun before competitions.
They are not allowed to have high-fat foods such as potato chips, hot dogs, chocolate or doughnuts.
Athletes are advised to avoid carbonated beverages (such as cooldrink), because they may cause stomach discomfort during the competition.
“As a coach, one also has to advise them not to have these foods they do not normally enjoy in excessive amounts,” Botha said.
Athletes are also expected to behave impeccably at all times, given that they are public figures and brand ambassadors. Botha is confident that this will not be a problem for the two well-mannered young sprinters.
Mboma and Masilingi had a dream season, with both of them collecting several local and international accolades.
The athletes reached the 200-metre final of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with Christine Mboma winning a silver medal.
“They are however still aware that the season is not so far away from starting and we will have to go back to the drawing board as soon as November starts.
“This will mean that they will have to say goodbye to the food they are enjoying right now and back to the lifestyle.
“This is really just a time to be a normal human being and enjoy life as young people,” Botha added.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article