Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe president Ross O’Donoghue is optimistic of a bigger 2026/27 season with a number of key events on their calendar.
The local season got underway last Sunday with a fun event at Mount Pleasant Pool.
And it presented them with an opportunity to assess the facility and their preparedness for the new season. “We had a superb event. I was very pleasantly surprised with the turnout.
“It wasn’t like a school event, we didn’t have hundreds of people, but the Mount Pleasant facility is in good working order.
“The water is warm, the water is clean.
“We have got a full contingent of sponsors for this season, so we are very excited about all our events,” said O’Donoghue.
The first full house event, featuring the Schools Series, selection races for junior and youth athletes among other races, is scheduled for September 27.
The youth and junior athletes will start chasing points to make the teams that will go on tours such as the South Africa Championships next year.
But Triathlon Zimbabwe’s immediate assignment is the 2026 Africa Triathlon Championships in Hurghada, Egypt from October 9 to 11.
On the local scene, their flagship event, the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup and Multisport Festival is scheduled for March 13, 2027, followed by the tours to South Africa and Mauritius in April.
The Schools Series returns with three races lined up for the junior schools.
Triathlon Zimbabwe are looking at expanding the series to also have a senior schools event.
“Our school series has grown wonderfully over the last few years and we have introduced one high school event as well. So, we are trying to get some high school students involved.
“But in our junior school series we have our three school events again and we are hoping for 150 plus students per event. We are very excited about that,” said O’Donoghue.
“We have got a tour to South Africa. We have got a tour to Egypt coming up quite soon.
“And then we have got African Games next year as well, which is going to be exciting.”
The African Games will be key for Australia-based Andie Kuipers, who is hoping to make the cut for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
They are also looking forward to the forthcoming Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games running from October 31 to November 13 in Senegal.
Triathlon is one of the seven sport codes that made Team Zimbabwe and they will be represented by Rachel O’Donoghue in the women’s section.
The national association has over the years been trying to increase their numbers and as the season begins, the Triathlon Zimbabwe president believes having a representative at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games can be an inspiration to aspiring athletes. “I think telling the story of the Youth Olympics of Rachel is quite an important marketing point for us this year.
“I want to use Rachel’s story to reach young girls and young boys who are aspiring to be athletes, to say, guys, this is just a normal girl.
“And through hard work and through triathlon structures, through swimming systems, she has managed to reach the top stage in junior sports.”
