The Sunday Mail
Fatima Bulla – Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has announced the ten recipients of the Olympic Athletes Scholarships as the country prepares for the 2016 Olympic Games set for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The programme, which assists top athletes selected by National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in their preparation and qualification for the Games, has a budget of US$250 000.
Under the programme, athletes will access some of the world’s finest training facilities, a coach in the relevant sporting discipline, regular medical and scientific assistance as well as accident and illness insurance, among other things.
Seven-time Olympic medallist Kirsty Coventry, Chad Idensohn, Robyn Lee and James Lawson make up the swimming team, while rowing is represented by Peter Purcell-Gilpin and Micheen Thorncroft.
Long distance runners Cuthbert Nyasango and Wirimai Juwawo as well as sprinters Ngonidzashe Makusha and Gabriel Mvumvure are also set to benefit in the track and field events.
The list, however, raises concerns as it does not include some of the country’s brightest youngsters, while the likes of Coventry continue to get support despite being in the twilight of their careers.
Questions are being asked about the logic of investing in a sportsperson like Coventry who appears to be on a downward spiral, at the expense of some budding athletes.
Coventry failed to make it to the finals of the 100m backstroke at the last Olympic Games in 2012, while she finished sixth in the 200m individual medley and backstroke finals.
Coventry lost her 200m backstroke title to a then 17-year-old American Missy Franklin, while 16-year-old Ye Shiwen of China took her 200 individual medley gold medal.
While Coventry will be 32 in 2016, Franklin will be 21 and Shiwen will have turned 20.
However, ZOC chief executive officer Anna Mguni defended the inclusion of Coventry, saying she remains one of the country’s brightest medal prospects.
“It is unfortunate that there is a shadow on the immense personal sacrifice, effort and national pride generated by one of Africa’s greatest athletes.
“Her plans and goals still remain relevant and significant to the National Olympic Committee and have been sanctioned and endorsed by the International Federation and the benefactors Olympic Solidarity.
“As an athlete, it is now up to her to deliver and we are confident she will give her trademark best.
“The Olympic Games may be a pinnacle for a number of sporting disciplines, but represent only a part of the overall national sporting programme.
“ZOC does not work in isolation — we work with national associations to facilitate the participation of athletes in elite events such as the Youth Olympics and the Summer (or Winter) Games,” she said.
Sports administrator Wellington Zingwe, who specialises in athletics at Churchill High School, also reckons Coventry still has what it takes.
“United States’ legendary sprinter Michael Johnson broke the 400m world record at 34 years and that record still stands.
“One can also consider a 34-year-old Linford Christy of the United Kingdom, who won the World Championships without breaking his personal best.
“Kirsty is a top sportswoman and should be able to do the country proud at the next Olympics,” he said.
Interest is also rife on the athletes, with 32-year-old Nyasango, who came 7th at the London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as Juwawo, who finished 15th, entertaining hopes of bagging medals at Rio 2016.
The duo should immensely benefit from the ZOC support.
Zimbabwe national junior coach Silas Muringani said Juwawo and Nyasango are likely to have better outings as middle-to-long-distance runners since they have mature with age.
“At these major events, experience counts and when you look at it, they have that experience. They have been to the World Championships, they are aware of their competitors and they know those who defeated them before,” he said.
However, Muringani has reservations over sprinters Makusha and his 27-year-old counterpart Mvumvure.
“Chances for the two at Rio 2016 are almost nil because there is need for speed. And speed is normally for the young ones.
“The challenge is that our short distance runners get professional training late. They do not go through the whole development programme,” he said.
Makusha can also compete in the long jump and narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
