Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ANDIE KUIPERS’ participation at the Africa Triathlon Sprint Championships left her motivated after picking points as she kick-started her campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualification.
Her next stop will be the French Grand Prix races.
The goal is to gain experience by competing in bigger and more competitive fields as she gears up for her next key race in terms of points, the 2026 Africa Triathlon Championships in October.
“The plan going forward is I am going to race in some French Grand Prix races which are definitely going to allow me to gain the experience I need by racing in bigger fields, competitive fields against some of the best athletes in Europe.
“I am competing the first one on the 4th of July and then I go to a high-altitude training camp in Switzerland with my coach and training squad which is going to prepare me going into a European Cup in Ireland.
“And then a Swiss Cup as well as one more French Grand Prix before my biggest race of the year, which is Africa Olympic distance Championships in October,” said Kuipers.
Kuipers placed fourth in the elite women and sixth overall at the Sprint Championships recently in Mauritius, earning ranking points in the process.
The field included Africa’s leading woman Shanae Williams from South Africa. It was her first race since the qualification window opened on May 18.
“At the start I said that I would be really satisfied if I got points and I managed to get my points. But of course, in elite sport it’s really hard to be completely satisfied and content.
“I think if I had got my points and been on the podium then I would have been satisfied. But in saying that I am still really happy to get points. It was the closest I have ever finished to Shanae Williams, who currently is the best in Africa and I raced on the same course with her two years ago and was four minutes faster.
“So, I can’t complain with the improvement,” said Kuipers.
It was also a reminder of the work she still needs to put in as the continues on the qualification path.
Triathlon will contest three medal events at the LA28 Olympic Games – men’s individual, women’s individual and the mixed relay.
The total quota will be 110 athletes – 55 men and 55 women.
Eligibility can be attained through a variety of pathways.
For individual events – the 21 highest ranked athletes per gender on the World Triathlon Individual Olympic Qualification Ranking as of May 18, 2028, will be allocated one quota place for their National Olympic Committee (NOC), respecting the maximum quota allocation per NOC.
There are four universality two slots – two men and two women.
There is also the new flag system with two options – Continental Games. In order to ensure continental representation, the highest ranked NOC on the Continental Games held during the Olympic qualification period not yet qualified will receive one quota place for their NOC. There is a total of 10 slots – five men and five women.
In order to further ensure continental representation, the highest ranked NOC not yet qualified will receive one quota place for their NOC. There are 10 places again – five men and five women.
And for Kuipers the aim is to go for the new flag.
“It’s not going to be easy to get this new flag. I just need to keep my eye on the ball and keep focused and I know I trust the process. I trust my coach and I trust in my training. I believe in myself that I can get there.”
One of Kuipers’ concern at the start of the year was the swim, and was one of the focus areas going into the Sprint Championships.
“From the swim point of view, two years ago if I had swum the swim that I did this (past) weekend on the same course I would have been 15 seconds ahead of Vicky van der Merwe, who qualified for the (2024) Olympics.
“It just shows the level is constantly moving and I need to keep up with that level. So, in terms of my own progress I have made progress but it’s just hard to see that when the level is continuing to elevate.
“I have made progress but in saying that I still have a ton of work to do, but I am motivated . . . And just hungry to keep improving,” said Kuipers.
