KUIPERS TAKES FINAL CRACK AT OLYMPICS

Ellina Mhlanga

Senior Sports Reporter

ANDIE Kuipers is this weekend scheduled to take part in the 2024 Asia Triathlon Cup Burabay in Kazakhstan hoping to get points towards qualification for the forthcoming Olympic Games. 

The race is scheduled for Saturday. 

Kuipers will compete in the elite women as she continues to push for a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games set for July 26 to August 11 in France.

Being one of the remaining Zimbabwean hopefuls for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she has made it clear she is going into the races with an open mind, while indicating the 2028 Games are more realistic for her. 

Triathlon Zimbabwe vice-president Pamela Fulton said, with the qualification period for triathlon closing this month, Saturday’s race will be her last hope to attain points.

“Yes, this will be her last race before the Olympic qualification cut-off, which is 27 May. 

“At this stage Zimbabwe is ranked third behind Algeria and South Africa. 

“This weekend Andie will need to finish within eight percent of the winner in order to gain world ranking points to see if she can get her ranking higher than Algeria. 

“Once the qualification period is complete it will be revealed whether South Africa have qualified through the natural process or whether they are awarded the new flag position.”

Kuipers will be up against athletes from Hong Kong, Ireland, Uzbekistan and hosts Kazakhstan, to get more points to improve her chances of qualifying. 

Fulton added that they were pleased with the effort and dedication by Kuipers, who is still navigating her way in the elite women, competing against seasoned athletes.   

“Andie has worked incredibly hard to reach where she is now, having started her qualification process from such a young age, just coming out of the junior ranks.

“It has been an intense couple of seasons for her studying, training and thanks to her Olympic Solidarity funding, (she) has managed to travel four continents in order to gain experience and build her world ranking. 

“We are incredibly proud of her efforts towards Paris 2024 and are very excited to see her progress even further as she then works towards her main goal, 2028.”