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Ellina Mhlanga in PARIS, France
WITH the distance runners Isaac Mpofu and Rutendo Nyahora now here for the Olympic Games, coach Benson Chauke says they have settled in well.
Mpofu qualified for the men’s marathon, set for Saturday, and Nyahora got a universality slot in the women’s race slated for Sunday.
The two runners joined other members of Team Zimbabwe at the Olympic Village on Sunday.
“We have settled in and we rested. We have done most of the protocol that was required of us.
“What now remains are the little things that one would do just before the big event.
“That is the usual little bit of running, the track work out, but not that much though because most of the work was done at home.”
Chauke has been working with Mpofu in his build-up for the Paris Olympics and they were in camp in Harare since January.
Nyahora was training under the guidance of her coach, Lindsey Parry in South Africa, where she is based.
They linked up in Doha on their way to Paris.
Chauke will be in charge of the two athletes during the Games.
“Rutendo was working in South Africa. We were always in touch, checking on how she was progressing with the work with her coach.
“We are going to be with her when we do our morning runs and go to the track. There isn’t much really that you can put now.
“But you want to maintain her fitness, flexibility, just prepare the mindset to say ‘look we are here’.
“Here we are just polishing up and we will see how it will work out on the day.
“But, all I know is we have one God and He gives to whoever he chooses. So, there is no fear of there is (Eliud) Kipchoge (from Kenya) , there is (Kenenisa) Bekele (from Ethiopia), on the day anything can happen.”
Online Reporter