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LONG-DISTANCE runner Isaac Mpofu has become the first Zimbabwean to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after meeting the qualifying standard for the marathon race which was announced by World Athletics last week.
Mpofu secured his Olympic ticket after finishing 12th position at the 2022 Valencia Marathon held earlier this month.
The South Africa-based runner crossed the finish line in a new national marathon record time of two hours, six minutes and 48 seconds which is well inside the Olympic qualifying standard time of two hours, eight minutes and 10 seconds.
The Valencia Marathon fell within the qualifying window between November 1, 2022, and April 30, 2024.
Athletes will be able to qualify in two ways for the 2024 Olympic Games, with half coming through the qualification places based on achieving the entry standard for an event within the qualification period.
The other way will be based on the World Athletics Ranking within the ranking period.
The qualification and ranking period for all individual events — other than the 10 000m, marathon, combined events and race walks — will be between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
For the 10 000m, combined events, race walks and relays, the qualification and ranking period will be between December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2024, while for the marathon the period will be between November 1, 2022 and 30 April 2024.
All performances must be achieved during competitions organised or authorised by World Athletics, its area associations, or its national federations in accordance with its rules and published on the World Athletics Global Calendar. — Agencies
Online Reporter