A Question of Pride

By Modupe Ogunbayo
Monday, November 24, 2003

Frankie Fredericks, 36, the famous Namibian athlete, was one of the big names in Abuja 2003. For more than a decade, Fredericks has been a household name in the 100 metres and 200 metres events in which he set and broke records, almost at will. He has won four Olympic medals. He spoke to Modupe Ogunbayo, reporter/researcher

Newswatch: You have represented Namibia in many local and international meets. Would you mind giving us a brief recall of these?

Fredericks: Yeah, Namibia got independence in 1990. So, we were invited to run internationally in 1991. My first international meet was World Championship in Tokyo and also, the Africa Games in Egypt in 1991. Those were my first international meetings for Namibia and since then, I've been to almost every major race in the world.

Newswatch: What medals have you won for Namiba?

Fredericks: Lots of medals in Africa Games. I've won two gold medals and a bronze. I have four Olympic silver medals in 100 metres and 200 metres and then I won gold in 1993 and in the 200 metres in the World Championships, a silver in '91, '95, '97, and '99, I won gold again, that's all. They are so many I can't recall them all right now.

Newswatch: Which of these medals is your most memorable?

Fredericks: There are so many on my list, probably the Olympics was quite on top of my list, '92 I was second both times, '96 also, twice. It was nice to hear the Namibian national anthem in Stuttgart when I won the gold and also in Egypt and I think those were nice because it's always good to be the winner. If you're second, you won't hear your national anthem.

Newswatch: Tell us about records you have broken.

Fredericks: Yes, I have the African records in both 100 metres and 200 metres and I have the World record also in 100 metres, 200 metres and I have records in the Olympics and African records.

Newswatch: Looking back now, which race can you say was the toughest you ever ran?

Fredericks: All races are quite tough you know, it's just in various degrees. Atlanta '96 was quite tough because I wasn't in good shape so, Michael (Johnson) and Donovan (Bailey) beat me. It wasn't the toughest because of the race, but, it was the toughest loss I lost and that was very heartbreaking because I wasn't in great shape.

Newswatch: Most people know Frank Fredericks, the top athlete. Who is Frank Fredericks, the man?

Fredericks: Yeah, athletics is my whole life. It's what the people know me as, but the person is quite private and I'll like to keep it private. People love delving into other individuals' lifestyle hoping to discover something out of the ordinary but I'm just like the next person with the same ordinary lifestyle, habits and general way of life.

Newswatch: Are you married?

Fredericks: Yes, I'm married with a little daughter.

Newswatch: Many African athletes do not want their children to take up professional athletics, would you encourage your daughter if she wants to take after you?

Fredericks: It doesn't matter. She can decide, it's up to her. I'm the father so, I just have to support her and provide her with the best training, the best facilities, the best opportunities and then she just has to decide what best to do with her life. I can just give her guidance, it's up to her to decide what's best for her. I can't decide for her.

Newswatch: Talking of professionalism, what distinguishes a professional athlete from those that are not?

Fredericks: I don't know about that. I've been fortunate to run professionally and to make a living and to retire in my time, it's been wonderful for me. I don't know the difference between a professional athlete and a non-professional one except that one is running for money and the other one is running for love of it.

Newswatch: Lately, there has been an upsurge in the number of athletics events, is it because of the money?

Fredericks: I don't think so. I think you cannot decide when you're 10 years old that you'll be a professional athlete and you'll do it for the money. I mean, you have to say okay, I'm talented and I'm going to have a very good education and I'll go into sports. If I'm good, I'll go professional and if I'm not good, then I'll have to find a job in whatever I'm qualified to do, I mean that's how you prepare for life. Because later, you'll leave the sports for somebody else so, if you try to do sports because of money, it's wrong because you don't know what you're getting into, you've got nothing to fall back on to.

Newswatch: In your country, Namibia, it's been observed that there are no new and younger athletes coming up besides you, what's wrong?

Fredericks: No, I don't know. Ask the officials. I'm trying to do my best as to the development of new talents and to help teach young kids but I think it's not been easy. Kids don't need to sacrifice like we did in our time. So unlike in the past, they think it's easy, they can go to tournaments, fall out at the first round and go home, everybody is happy, it's nothing whereas, the older guys if you lose, you really feel hurt and want to do better. For we older guys, it's not a question of money, it's a question of pride. You know, many of the young people don't have that pride but, when I'm in my Namibian colours, I always want to be the best since that is the only thing I can do for my country. I understand that 13 years ago, I could not compete internationally because I was under the sports boycott so, I appreciate every moment I have to compete but these young kids? They don't listen, they take you for granted.