Nijel Carlos Amilfitano Amos (born 15 March 1994) is a
Motswana middle-distance runner
Middle-distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres. The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the 3000 metres may also be classified as a middle-distance event. The 1 ...
who competes in the
800 metres
The 800 metres, or meters ( US spelling), is a common track running event. It is the shortest commonly run middle-distance running event. The 800 metres is run over two laps of an outdoor (400-metre) track and has been an Olympic event since t ...
. He won silver at the
2012 Summer Olympics, which was Botswana's first ever Olympic medal.
Early life
Nijel Amos is from
Marobela village in the North Eastern part of Botswana. He went to Nyamambisi Primary School in
Marobela, Shangano Community Junior Secondary School (2007 to 2009) in Nshakashongwe and
Tutume McConnell Community College (2010 to 2011).
Running career
Results
At the
2011 African Junior Athletics Championships
The 2011 African Junior Athletics Championships were held at the University of Botswana Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana from 12 to 15 May. It was the tenth edition of the continental athletics (sport), athletics tournament for African athletes aged ...
, Amos ran a Botswana Junior Record time of 1:47.28. Further improving on his record, Amos finished fifth in the
800 metres at the
2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics
The 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics were the seventh edition of the World Youth Championships in Athletics. They were held in Lille Métropole, France, with stadium-based events at Stadium Lille-Métropole in Villeneuve d'Ascq, on 6� ...
.
In 2012 Amos improved his National Senior Record to 1:43.11 during a race in
Mannheim. He became champion at the
2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics
The 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics was an international athletics competition for athletes qualifying as juniors (born 1993 or later) which was held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, on 10–15 ...
, finishing in a new championship record of 1:43.79. In the
2012 Summer Olympics, Amos won a silver medal in the
men's 800 m race, the first Olympic medal for his country. His time of 1:41.73 established a new
World Junior Record behind the new World Record set by
David Rudisha and is tied with
Sebastian Coe for the third fastest individual ever.
After an injury-filled 2013 season, Amos returned to form in 2014. At the 2014
Prefontaine Classic, Amos set a meet record and world-leading time of 1:43.63. At the
Herculis IAAF Diamond League, he again set a meet record and world leading mark of 1:42.45. Beating Rudisha for the 2nd time on the season, his performance was the fastest 800m race since the
men's 800 m 2012 Olympic final. At the
2014 Commonwealth Games, Amos won the 800 meter gold medal in 1:45.18. In the tactical affair, Amos maneuvered out of a box to pass World Record holder David Rudisha in the last 50 meters.
At the
2016 Summer Olympics, Amos competed in the 800 m and the 4x400 relay. He finished 7th in his heat for the 800 m and did not qualify for the semifinals. The Botswana 4 × 400 m relay team finished 5th in the finals. Amos was the flag bearer for Botswana during the
Parade of Nations
The Olympic Games ceremonies of the Ancient Olympic Games were an integral part of these Games; the modern Olympic games have opening, closing, and medal ceremonies. Some of the elements of the modern ceremonies date back to the Ancient Games from ...
.
He finished 5th in the 800m at the
2017 World Athletics Championships.
Amos ran a 1:42.14 in the summer of 2018 at the Monaco Diamond League meet, taking first place. It was his best race in the 800 m since his silver medal effort in the 2012 Olympics.
At 2019's Monaco Diamond League, Amos ran 1:41.89, hitting 600 m at 1:15.22.
At the
2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, with some preliminary events that began on 21 July.
Tokyo was selected as the host city during the 1 ...
, Amos competed in the
800 m, finishing first in his heat. In the semifinal he collided with
Isaiah Jewett, resulting in them both falling to the ground. Amos was later reinstated into the final on appeal.
Doping Ban
On July 12, 2022, Amos was provisionally suspended from competition by the
Athletics Integrity Unit after he tested positive for
GW1516, a banned hormone and
metabolic modulator that is not approved for use in humans.
See also
*
Botswana at the 2012 Summer Olympics
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Amos, Nijel
1994 births
Living people
People from Central District (Botswana)
Botswana male middle-distance runners
Olympic male middle-distance runners
Olympic athletes of Botswana
Olympic silver medalists for Botswana
Olympic silver medalists in athletics (track and field)
Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Botswana
Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics
Athletes (track and field) at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
Athletes (track and field) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Universiade medalists in athletics (track and field)
African Games gold medalists for Botswana
African Games medalists in athletics (track and field)
Athletes (track and field) at the 2015 African Games
World Athletics Championships athletes for Botswana
Universiade medalists for Botswana
African Championships in Athletics winners
Diamond League winners
IAAF Continental Cup winners
Medalists at the 2013 Summer Universiade
Athletes (track and field) at the 2020 Summer Olympics