Emotional Prudence Sekgodiso reaches the Olympic Games final in her debut

She burst into tears upon clocking 1:57:57 to finish second in her heat. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she comprehended the reality of competing in tonight’s final, with a chance to win a medal for South Africa. The Limpopo-born athlete even pinched herself to confirm she was not dreaming.  

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''I am so emotional, I don't know what I can do. I am just excited that I made it to the final, It means a lot to me. I just have to believe that I can do this,'' said Sekgodiso.

Sekgodiso said she would talk about her strategy for the final with her coach, Samuel Sepeng, who also coaches Team South Africa’s middle-distance runners at the Olympic Games.

''I will hear from my coach, what he says. The run was just amazing. I didn't feet any tired, I will have to stick to that until tomorrow,'' she added.

Sekgodiso couldn’t continue speaking, as she was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn’t stop crying. She promised to rest and prepare thoroughly for the final.