‘Zim must rally behind Steyn’

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Olympic Committee believes that the historic participation by skier Luke Steyn at the Winter Olympics, which burst into life in the Russian city of Sochi tomorrow, should ignite more enthusiasm among Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. The 20-year-old Styen is writing his own piece of history as the first Zimbabwean to qualify for the Winter Olympics that will have 15 sporting disciplines as opposed to the 41 events at the more popular Summer Olympics Games.

Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Admire Masenda yesterday implored all Zimbabweans to rally behind Steyn as he races in giant slalom on February 19 and slalom on February 22 in Russia.

“We as the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee decided to try and find out if we could get someone to participate at the Winter Olympics and that someone could be based overseas.

“The world is now a global village, so we can also tap from people who are in the Diaspora and through this Winter Olympics, our job will be to try and widen the scope of participation,” said Masenda.

Masenda said ZOC are just happy that Steyn qualified for the skiing competition after he covered more than 3 000km through France, Italy and Switzerland in 20 days to gather enough points in his events to make the standard for Sochi before the January 19 cut-off date for 21st edition of the Winter Games.

“He is not getting a free ride to the Winter Olympics, but he actually met the standard. Some people could get wildcard entries but Steyn worked hard for his quest,” said Masenda.

As Steyn, who has only lived in Zimbabwe for the first two years of his life, makes history, ZOC are hopeful that Zimbabwe will have more athletes at the Pyeongchang Games in South Korea in 2018.

Seasoned sports administrator Kathy Lobb is the chef de mission for this year’s Winter Olympics where ZOC are not setting any targets for Steyn.

“To start with, it’s an achievement that we have an athlete qualifying for the Games. There should not be high expectations but we are happy for this spin off. Anybody out there who is keen to represent Zimbabwe on the Winter Games is welcome.
“It will be a tall order (for Steyn) but we are all excited,” said Masenda.

While snow hardly falls in Zimbabwe, Steyn took up skiing on family vacations in Europe. He perfected his art while studying at the University of Colorado in the United States and later mastered the skill on trips to New Zealand and Chile, and then throughout Europe in a bid to qualify.

President of the newly-formed Zimbabwe Snow Sports Association, Kevin Atkinson, told AP that it will be asking too much to expect Steyn to win a medal in Russia.

“He might not get a gold, but there’s plenty of time. It’s a great experience and a fantastic achievement to represent our country at the Winter Games.”

“(Steyn) has had a lot of people wondering how we can produce a world-class skier. Zimbabwe tends to breed a competitive spirit. But it’s not just about winning at all costs. It’s a healthy enthusiasm for all sport,” Atkinson said.

Zimbabwe has only recorded snow once in the 1960s but to Steyn’s advantage is fierce determination and a very early and continuous exposure to skiing. He was two when his father, a metals trader with a fondness for the Alpine slopes, took him to the resort of Zug in Switzerland.