An Olympic debut to remember!

Tinashe Kusema

Zimpapers Sports Hub

FOR some athletes who were at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it was their first time being at the world stage at this level.

So, it naturally represented the realisation of a lifelong goal.

For the lucky few, like South Korea’s Lim Si-Hyeon and the host nation’s Victor Wembanyama, they will have a haul of medals to show for their time in France.

The South Korean won three gold medals in the individual, team and mixed team events.

The 21-year-old archer also set the world record in the preliminary round of the women’s individual event, scoring 694 out of a maximum 720.

Wembanyama put the whole basketball world on notice as the 20-year-old led hosts France into the men’s final, only to be felled by the ageing but hugely talented United States for the gold medal.

Closer to home, Team Zimbabwe had their own memorable debutants, with swimmer Denilson Cyprianos setting some personal milestones during his brief time in France.

He set a new personal best time and national record in the men’s 200m backstroke. However, it was sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba who hogged the limelight after qualifying for the finals of the 200m men’s race.

Their achievement means they are among the eight fastest 200m sprinters in the world.

“If I am going to be honest, I am still excited over what we managed to achieve in France,” said the younger of the two sprinters, Charamba.

“I may have fallen short of my goals (podium finish), but I feel good about my performance, and it was the perfect end to what has been a mind-blowing season.

“The trick now will be to use that run at the Games as motivation going forward. There is more to come.”

Charamba was a surprise inclusion to Team Zimbabwe, as the 22-year-old US-based sprinter booked his ticket to the Games at the Auburn Track & Field Outdoor Championships in Florida in May.

The Games came and went as the Auburn University student, together with fellow countryman Makarawu, blazed the trail on the way to the finals of the 200m race.

The final itself did not go according to plan as Charamba and Makarawu finished eighth and sixth, with times of 20.53 seconds and 20.10 seconds, respectively.

The race was won by Letsile Tebogo of Botswana in 19.46 seconds to claim gold, while the US’ duo of Kenneth Bednarek and Noah Lyles got silver and bronze, respectively.

Charamba can still look back at his time in France with fondness.

After all, it was a memorable experience for the youngster and many lessons were learnt.

“I would say the Olympics were a great experience as I managed to rub shoulders with the best of the best from around the world and managed to put up a show,” he said.

“I was in the final and made the top eight and now I can safely say that I am the eighth fastest man in the world. I did not have any particular goals going into the meet and simply went there to enjoy myself and learn as much as I could.

“Away from the track, I took some time to enjoy all that the city of Paris has to offer, with seeing the Eiffel Tower glow in the evening a major highlight.”

Charamba was also one of the flag bearers for Team Zimbabwe, something no one can ever take away from him.

The young speedster took time to absorb as much as he could from his fellow competitors, most of whom are trained and experienced professionals.

“One of the important lessons or takeaways from the Games was the realisation that everyone is human,” he said.

“We see these larger-than-life athletes on television and it is easy to get lost in their aura or star power.

“However, if you cut them, they bleed just like us. I believe, going forward, I know and believe that I am going to be at the top and plan to work hard and leave everything else to God.”

Speaking of larger-than-life characters, Charamba managed to spend some time with eventual 200m winner Tebogo, during which the Botswana Olympic champion shared some advice with him.

“I had a chance to mix and mingle with some of these top guys. I was literally sitting next to Tebogo in the call room and we were actually brushing shoulders and talking to each other.

“Some of the other guys I spoke to spent their college time in the US and it was a really cool experience sharing notes with them.

“Among the best advice I got from them was the importance of discipline and living in the moment. They told me to enjoy my final years of college and, when it comes to track, run my race and not try to do too much,” he said.

Charamba is back in the US, where he has been given some time off to rest and recuperate before resuming off-season training.

As it pertains to his future plans, the sprinter opted to keep everything close to his chest.