admin
Sports Reporter
AS the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games continue, athletics’ coach Benson Chauke is satisfied with the work invested to prepare long distance runner Isaac Mpofu for his debut appearance at the event.
The marathon runner booked his place at the Games in 2022 and has been working on his build-up for the Olympics, which will run from July 26 to August 11.
Mpofu stepped up his preparations in January when he got into camp in Harare.
He took part in the Tanganda half marathon on June 30 and was part of the field at the Econet Victoria Falls marathon last Sunday.
He placed third at the Tanganda half marathon and won the half marathon at the Econet Victoria Falls event.
“We did the assessments races in the Tanganda and the Econet Victoria Falls half marathons,” said Chauke.
“There were areas we wanted to assess from the training programme that we have been having.
“We looked at the aspects we wanted, and we learnt a few things from it.
“We are now going back to correct one or two things and wrap up our programme.
“Actually, the training is done now and there isn’t much we are going to do now.
“We are now just going to do the usual stuff, just the generic stuff. That is our long run, we will do our speed work, we will do our endurance work and those kinds of things.”
He added:
“The major work is done. We just wanted him to get used to competition before going for a major competition.”
Mpofu won the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon in February.
In the women’s marathon, Zimbabwe will be represented by South Africa-based Rutendo Nyahora.
Nyahora will be making her second appearance at the Olympic Games.
Online Reporter