malvernmugadzikwa
Deputy Sports Editor
THE romance between Zimbabwe and retired US middle-distance runner Khadevis Robinson is one of those bizarre stories that even Hollywood scriptwriters would struggle to craft.
The former Olympian and short- and middle-distance legend is currently in the country for a five-day visit to conduct some coaching clinics in Bulawayo and Harare.
The first of the clinics was held on Thursday in Bulawayo. He now moves to Harare, where he is expected to conduct another coaching clinic today.
According to the organisers, the sessions are open to everyone, particularly the youth.
“It is quite interesting how this particular clinic came about because I came to Zimbabwe for the very first time back in 2019,” said Robinson.
“I came here as a USA ambassador, an Olympic sports US envoy, and worked in conjunction with our embassy here in Zimbabwe.
“At the time, I was a coach at Ohio State (University), and it was my very first visit here.
“I didn’t know much about the country, aside from the things I heard on TV and the stuff I read on the internet.
“To my surprise, none of it was true, and, when I got here, the people were totally welcoming and I absolutely loved it here.”
After being charmed by Zimbabwe, Robinson also got the chance to check on some of the local athletes based in the United States, when he returned back home and got a job at Texas State University.
Among those athletes was the duo of Chengetayi Mapaya and Tino Matiyenga.
Robinson pledged to return to Zimbabwe and play a part in helping nurture some of the upcoming and promising athletes he saw.
However, the programme was put on ice owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 46-year-old describes himself as energetic, motivational and spiritual.
He is into self-improvement books so much that he has become a motivational speaker himself.
Everything about his first visit pushed him towards a return trip and fulfilling his initial promise.
He now hopes to help, nurture, inspire and touch as many lives as possible.
“The purpose of this clinic is to have the youth — really, it’s for anyone — come by and see how best we can help them,” he said.
“We will work on drills, running techniques, strides and some of the basics of our sport.
“The main thing, after the drills and activities, is to give the individuals the opportunity to ask questions and find out about the structure of the university system in the United States.
“I hope to explain the differences between Divisions One and Two, what recruitment is, how to get in touch with coaches and all those types of things that will give them a leg up in their careers.’’
Born on July 19, 1976, Robinson tried a few disciplines before finding his feet in athletics, especially the 800-metre race and the 4x100m relays.
His natural gifts saw him attain an athletics scholarship to Texas Christian University (TCU), after being recruited by renowned collegiate coach John McKenzie.
After college, he enjoyed a distinguished professional career as one of the world’s premier 800m runners.
He represented the US at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and then again in 2012 in London.
He also earned a spot on Team USA at the World Athletics’ World Championships on seven occasions, while setting a lifetime personal best of 1:43.68 in his specialty event.
Online Reporter