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Wallace Ruzvidzo in PARIS, France
TEAM Zimbabwe have received a major confidence booster in their bid to make an impact at the 2024 Olympic Games, with President Mnangagwa yesterday rallying the athletes to do the country proud at the global sporting showcase.
The official opening ceremony for the quadrennial show-piece is scheduled for the host city — Paris — today with the Games running until August 11.
Team Zimbabwe were in high profile company yesterday when Vice President Constantino Chiwenga visited them at the Games Village where he delivered President Mnangagwa’s message of encouragement.
He said the President was charging Team Zimbabwe to be supportive of each other as that would ensure triumph for them and the country at large.
“They (the President and First Lady) have a lot of commitments, but he sent his warm and great greetings and wishes that you all do well in the coming Olympic Games.
“And that in all your fields you are going to make Zimbabwe great, so as team Zimbabwe you are not only going to concentrate on your field but you have to give each other moral support.
“You have to support each other so that you win as a team and you will make our country a better place,” he said.
Vice President Chiwenga said Zimbabwe was already doing well in various sectors hence it was only imperative that the success cascade to the sporting arena.
“We are doing well in mining and agriculture and we are starting now in the manufacturing sector.
“Tourism is one our flagships and both him (President Mnangagwa) and the First Lady will receive awards from the United Nations Tourism,” he said.
The modern Olympic Games are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate.
They are considered the world’s prime sports competition with a total of 10 500 athletes representing 206 countries competing this year.
Zimbabwe has seven athletes who will compete at the games and they will represent the country in athletics, rowing, and swimming.
In the athletics field, Zimbabwe will be represented by sprinters Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu who both qualified for the 200m dash, while Isaac Mpofu and Rutendo Nyahora will partake in the marathon.
Paige van der Westhuizen and Denilson Cyprianos will represent the country in swimming while Stephen Cox will compete in rowing. The Games was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, held in Olympia, Greece from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.
Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, leading to the first modern Games in Athens in 1896.
The IOC is the governing body of the Olympic Movement, which encompasses all entities and individuals involved in the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Charter defines their structure and authority.
Online Reporter