NEW: Countdown to 200m Olympic semi-finals begins

Ellina Mhlanga in PARIS, France

TEAM ZIMBABWE chef de mission at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Ringisai Mapondera, is confident of another strong showing from sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba when they return to the track tonight for the men’s 200m semi-final at the Stade de France.

The first two in each of the three semi-final heats and the two fastest times progress to the final.

Charamba will be the first on track in heat two, where he is competing against the likes of Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo, who are top contenders for the final.

Makarawu takes on USA’s Erriyon Knighton and Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh, who won gold at the Africa Championships in Cameroon, as well as Italy’s Filippo Tortu, among other top athletes in heat three.

“We wish them a good race in the semi-final. We are praying for them and we are asking the whole of Zimbabwe to pray for them.

“We want to encourage them and rally behind them so that they make themselves and the nation proud.

“We have confidence in them. They have done well and we are hopeful for more,” said Mapondera.

Makarawu’s coach Tabarie Henry said after a well-executed race on Monday, he is optimistic.

“I am very proud of his run. I just spoke with him and told him I thought we had a good lane draw and we have a great heat.

“With the competition, my only concern is with Joe Fahnbulleh; he tends to close very hard, so I told him if he just executes his race again and put Joseph away, I don’t think we will have any issue.

“I also told him that all the guys in the race are capable of running pretty well, so he shouldn’t take anybody for granted,” he said.