Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe will get their quest for representation at the Youth Olympic Games in motion next month with two of their rising stars taking part in a development camp and eligibility race in Kenya.
Zander Botha and Rachel O’Donoghue are expected to attend the camp scheduled to begin on November 19 and conclude with the race on November 22 and 23.
The camp is being organised by World Triathlon and Africa Triathlon.
Botha and O’Donoghue are part of a six-member squad selected to try and secure slots for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics.
The other members are Olivia Beamish, Matthew Hildebrand, Ethan Donzva and Xander Stevenson.
Triathlon Zimbabwe vice-president and national coach Pamela Fulton confirmed their participation at the upcoming event.
“With the Youth Olympic Games, the criteria has changed once again, coming directly through the IOC and through World Triathlon. There have been issues with the previous criteria because our 15-year-olds were not allowed to do the designated eligibility races,’’ Fulton said.
“They were too young to do it. Now they have introduced two more races, one in Senegal and one in Kenya. We can go and compete there over the super sprint distance.
“Our 15-year-olds are now allowed to go and do that.
“World Triathlon and Africa Triathlon have put on a camp which is aimed at these 15 and 16-year-old athletes at the moment. One male and one female from each federation have been offered a slot.
“For Zimbabwe, our selectors have chosen Rachel O’Donoghue and Zander Botha. Only two per country, per federation are allowed to go onto this camp,” said Fulton.
There are 32 slots for males and an equal number for females at the YOG but it’s not yet clear how many will each continent get.
The focus is on countries getting their athletes ready and ensuring they stand a chance when the slots are finalised.
For the upcoming camp and eligibility race each country is expected to field one male and one female athlete.
The second race is scheduled for next year at the Africa Championships in Egypt.
“It’s still to be confirmed how many slots go to Africa. I do know that 20 federations from Africa put their hand up saying that they would like to participate in the Youth Olympic Games.
“Basically, they will just go compete, just put themselves out there. When the slots come in, if they qualify, they get the slots.
“Hopefully through Rachel and through Zander we should get an eligibility slot for Zimbabwe, both the male and the female categories.
“And then after the Egypt race, see how many of our athletes also become eligible,” said Fulton. The race is open for other interested athletes to take part at their own cost.
“It’s fantastic for these athletes at this young age to go and meet other athletes who are also trying to compete for Youth Olympic Games.
“Any of our other YOG squad are allowed to go and do the race but they cannot be on the camp. And unfortunately, cost wise, none of our other YOG squad are going to be going and doing this race.
“They are going to be putting all the eggs into one basket which will be going and competing in Egypt at Africa Champs. And this is going to be early on in the year.
“So, the rest of our YOG squad will hopefully qualify and go to Africa Champs which will be their eligibility race.”
