INVESTING IN SPORT KEY – SWIMMING COACH

Ellina Mhlanga in PARIS, France

SWIMMING coach Masi Takaedza has underscored the need for the country to up its game in sport investment if local athletes are to match the international standards at such big events like the Olympic Games.

Speaking at the end of Zimbabwe’s swimming campaign at the on-going Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Wednesday, Takaedza stressed the need to have an enabling environment to complement the athletes’ efforts including facilities.

Paige van der Westhuizen and Denilson Cyprianos represented the country in the women’s 100m freestyle and men’s 200m backstroke.

However, they found the going tough, as both missed out on the semi-final slots.

The athletes with the fastest 16 times in each competition proceeded to the semis-finals.

Takaedza said Zimbabwe needs to begin early preparations for the 2028 Games.

“Firstly, I just want to congratulate the swimmers on their determination to finish off the job.

“An Olympic cycle is four years and it was hard and they had to put in a lot of effort and time.

“I would also like to thank everyone involved in helping the swimmers over the years. Despite the many challenges and obstacles, they still did well and we got a new national record.

“Their attitude really shows they can qualify for 2028 if they continue to take on the challenges and grow as swimmers.

“The swimmers did great over this meet. Paige’s time does not do justice to the way she trained leading to this competition.

“As for Denny it’s a new PB and I can’t ask for more.”

Van der Westhuizen was placed 25th overall with a time of 58.19 seconds in the women’s 100m freestyle on Tuesday.

The time was outside her personal best of 57.34 seconds.

On Wednesday, Cyprianos swam a personal best of 2 minutes 01.91 seconds in the men’s 200m backstroke, also setting a new national record.

That Zimbabwe’s 200m backstroke record falls short of the Olympics semi-finals time, shows the gap between the swimmers and their counterparts from leading countries.

Cyprianos’ previous personal best going into the Games was 2 minutes 01.96 seconds.