adminLobb said this at the residence of the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe in Harare during the issuing of biometrics and the mark of London Games countdown last week.
The 2012 London Olympics are scheduled to start on July 27, running until August 12, and Coventry is expected to repeat the same feat that saw her harvest seven medals at the last two editions of the Olympics in Athens, Greece, in 2004 and Beijing, China, in 2008.
Zimbabwe has since Independence garnered eight Olympic medals that include three gold medals.
The country’s first gold medal was won by women’s hockey team — “the Golden Girls” — at the Moscow Olympics in 1980 and twice swimming sensation Coventry won gold in the 200-metre backstroke in 2004 (Athens) in 2008 (Beijing).
Before Coventry’s memorable feat at the Athens Games, Zimbabwe had only one Olympic medal to show, courtesy of the Golden Girls’ success at the 1980 Moscow Games.
After that, Zimbabwe took part in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles (United States) in 1984, Seoul (South Korea) in 1988, Barcelona (Spain) in 1992, Atlanta (United States) in 1996 and in Sydney (Australia) in 2000 and all the athletes returned home empty-handed on each outing.
But that drought was finally ended by Coventry who took the 2004 Athens Olympics by storm as she swept to victory in the women’s 200-metre backstroke event to
win the country’s first gold medal in swimming.
She also picked up a silver and a bronze medal in the women’s 100-metre backstroke and 200-metre individual medley events at the same Games in Athens.
In 2008 in Beijing, China, Coventry produced the same magic and grabbed four medals — one gold and three silver — which took her tally to seven medals at the Olympics hence becoming the most decorated Zimbabwean athlete from those who had qualified for the London 2012.
The swimming queen also set a world record in her 100-metre backstroke semi-final which was not broken in the final and won her 200-metre backstroke in another world record.
It is against such background that Coventry found herself being the favourite to win medals among other Zimbabwean athletes who have qualified for the London Olympics and Lobb thinks it will be unjust to look up to her only.
“I think everybody is relying on Coventry for medals but that is very hard on her because she has carried us on the past two Olympics and her preparations haven’t been that smooth as she dislocated her knee and also dropped one event.
“It will be wise not to put too much pressure on her and let’s just see what the other guys can come up with instead of giving Coventry (some) unnecessary pressure.
“We have to bear in mind that winning depends on element of luck and it’s the same thing in every sport — if your team doesn’t have that element of luck on a particular day you obviously lose and I think it’s going to be the same with us,” said Lobb.
Lobb, however, remained confident with the other athletes that have qualified to represent the country at the London Games and she can’t wait for July 27 for the Games to start. I am very excited that the Games are getting closer now but obviously the preparations at this stage are very crucial and we are beginning to get overwhelmed as we are getting a clear light at the end of a tunnel. Once we get to London then the real work starts and once we get to the Athletes Village then we will be really a good group together and will be fine.
“It has been a very tough for these athletes to make this team, the rules changed slightly and the guys (who are) going really earned their way and deserved to go,” added Lobb.
A seasoned swimming coach and administrator, Lobb was in March this year appointed assistant chef de mission of Team Zimbabwe for the 2012 London Olympic
Games by the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.
She will assist the team’s chef de mission Busi Chindove in looking after Zimbabwean athletes at the world’s biggest sporting showpiece.
At the London Games, Lobb will look after the welfare of the Zimbabwe rowing team of Micheen Thornycroft and Jamie Fraser-Mackenzie and their coach Rachel Davies.
Some members of Team Zimbabwe are expected to leave for London on July 15, 12 days ahead of the Games official opening ceremony on July 27, and the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, is expected to be the head of delegation.
Paul Damasane, the principal director of Sport, Arts and Culture, and Sports Commission chairman, Joseph James, are also expected to be part of Team Zimbabwe delegation that will be travelling to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.
So far seven athletes — swimmer Coventry, marathon runners Wirimai Juwawo, Cutbert Nyasango and Sharon Tavengwa, triathlete Chris Felgate, and rowers Jamie Fraser-Mckenzie and Micheen Thornycroft — have officially qualified to represent Zimbabwe at the London Games.
The final Team Zimbabwe for the 2012 London Olympic Games is expected to be named by ZOC this coming Thursday. South Africa this week announced a team comprising 125 athletes that are set to represent their country at the London Games, which is a much bigger contingent compared to Zimbabwe’s.
Already that increases their chances of getting more medals compared to Zimbabwe’s seven athletes, which is even a smaller number from the 13 who took part at the Beijing Games in 2008. Meanwhile, Coventry is expected to compete in an international swimming competition in Paris, France, this weekend as part of her preparations for the London Games.
Online Reporter