by Larry EderOlympic silver medalist Nijel Amos is looking to the Samsung Diamond League in 2013 and the World championships. The teenager has recently signed a deal with Nike for four years and he surprised even himself this year. Alfons Juck wrote the following piece on the budding superstar, who is all of eighteen!
GABORONE (BOT): Local media are informing that Olympic silver medallist, Nijel Amos has set his sights on competing in next year’s Samsung Diamond League series. The 18-year old national record holder aims to continue his development in the 800m races. “I could have participated in last week’s Diamond League in Zurich but I decided against it since it is nearing its final stages. There was no use of going there and collecting only a few points but next year I will definitely participate in the competition,” said Amos. Amos told Gazette Sport that he has signed a four-year contract with Nike. The acclaimed sports brand approached him in Leverkusen, Germany just before the Olympics. The deal includes a supply of sports attire, bonuses and appearance fees for the next four years with the possibility of a renewal if he maintains top form. The youngster revealed that he did not expect to be selected for the national team prior to the Olympics because he had initially set his sights on competing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “It was a pleasant surprise and an honour to be selected to represent my country. I went to the Olympics carrying a light injury but I managed to recover at the Olympic Village”, said the Marobela native. The next event on Amos’ schedule is the Zone VI Junior Championships set for Zambia in December. His participation in the London 2012 Olympics has also landed him an automatic spot in next year’s World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia.
