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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Olympic Committee have thrown their weight behind Kirsty Coventry’s decision to return to action and target participation at the Rio 2016 Olympics.Coventry had kept the nation guessing on whether she will take part at the 2016 event and on Sunday the celebrated Olympian revealed that she had started preparing for a final crack at the global sporting event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ZOC chief executive Anna Mguni said they were aware that Coventry was considering her options of competing at the Games and were fully behind her.
“The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee has been aware that Olympian Kirsty Coventry, like the other Zimbabwean athletes after the London Olympic Games, was considering the option of future participation specifically at World Championship level and ultimately at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“The announcement of her intent to prepare, qualify and participate at the Games is welcomed by ZOC and her decision is taken lightly. ZOC is fully aware that she has undertaken the requisite consultation and due diligence that comes with participation at this level,” Mguni said.
However, with age catching up with the 29-year-old who will be 33 in 2016 it’s going to be a challenge for Kirsty especially after finding the going tough at last year’s Games in London although some may argue that her preparations were hampered by an injury when she dislocated her kneecap with four months to go to the Games.
Coventry failed to win a medal of any colour as she only managed to get to the semi-finals in her first race and coming sixth in her next two events as she competed against a new crop of young athletes from countries such as Australia, China and the United States.
Mguni said they are aware of the challenge ahead of Coventry as she tries to move mountains.
“ZOC knows that Kirsty will have a tough period ahead of her, focusing on her goal and to this end will provide the necessary support as and when possible and required.
“ZOC will continue to mobilise and provide support for all athletes in a bid to ensure adequate preparation is undertaken as they bid to qualify and participate — this applies to athletes for the African Youth Games in May 2014, the Nanjing Summer Youth Olympic Games in August, Rio 2016 and beyond,” added Mguni.
Zimbabwe Aquatic Union president, Mary Kloppers believes Coventry still has a lot to give as she said with age comes experience.
“It’s very good news to us. We feel Coventry has a lot to give, we are very happy. At the last Olympics her health really affected her. We are here to support her 100 percent if she feels she can do it.
“With age comes experience, Kirsty will not make this decision lightly without doing her homework. I know for a fact she has a good team and I believe they will help her so there is no reason to doubt her.
“She is the one who is going to do the work, it’s not our opinion, it’s not us doing the work,” said Kloppers.
Online Reporter