Chronicle EditorEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara says they will keep on pushing for their athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games after the three middle-distance runners that were competing at the Port Elizabeth Nite Series missed the qualification times. Zimbabwe fielded the trio of Tendai Zimuto, Wellington Varevi and Nyasha Mutsetse for the Nite Series held on Tuesday aiming for qualification in the 5 000m and 1 500m.
But they all posted times outside the qualification standards with the 5 000m set at 13minutes 25seconds for men and 1 500 time is 3minutes 36:20seconds.
Zimuto came fourth in the 5 000m event in 14minutes 13 seconds while Varevi was 10th in 14 minutes 23 seconds.
Mutsetse finished on position six in the 1 500 m in 3 minutes 49 seconds.
Tagara, however, said the three athletes are expected to go for another competition in South Africa before July when the qualifying process comes to an end to try their luck again.
“None of them qualified but we are chasing another competition in South Africa but that will be the final competition in that country.
“We are going to send the same athletes because we are pushing for the best. We are looking at the times, so they have to push.
“If they offer a 10 000m event at the competition we are considering Varevi for the 10 000m and Zimuto will have a try again in the 5 000m because he is the best option at the moment,” said Tagara.
Tagara said they remain optimistic some of the athletes will make the grade.
“It’s always every coach’s hope that their athletes qualify and it’s our hope that they qualify. We will continue getting the best competition for them. There is still time because the deadline is in July.
NAAZ have indicated that they are targeting to send at least seven athletes for this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
So fare five long-distance runners – Wirimai Juwawo, Cuthbert Nyasango, Pardon Ndhlovu, Gilbert Mutandiro and Rutendo Nyahora – have attained the qualification standards for marathon.
For the men’s section, the national association will select the best three according to their times since each country is allowed to field a maximum of three athletes in each section.
Online Reporter