Ex-Olympian Abel Chimukoko rallies Team Zimbabwe ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics

His words of encouragement come at a crucial time as the athletes prepare to showcase their skills on the world stage.

This year, Zimbabwe is represented by a stronger contingent, with seven athletes competing, an improvement from the last Games where the nation had only five representatives.

The athletes flying the Zimbabwean flag high in Paris include Isaac Mpofu, Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Makanakaishe Charamba, Rutendo Nyahora, Stephen Cox, Denilson Cyprianos, and Paige van der Westhuizen.

Notably, some athletes, such as Cox, Cyprianos, and Van der Westhuizen, have already arrived in Paris, settling in and acclimating ahead of the competitions.

"I would start by saying congratulations to the seven athletes who managed to qualify for the Olympics," said Chimukoko.

"I am so excited that the team which is going to represent Zimbabwe at this edition of the Olympic Games, it's a quality team if you look at the athletes.

"The sprinters, Makarawu, Charamba. These guys are stars, and they can do anything for Zimbabwe.

"Then if you look again at Isaac Mpofu, he is in a class of his own. He is among the top athletes and he is a very top contender in the marathon.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on the athletes but judging by their current performance, I can foresee the sprinters going to the finals, all the sprinters going to the finals.

"Then to the marathon guys, Isaac is a top contender because I have been monitoring his training. He comes from my office, so I have been monitoring his training even though I was not part of the coaching and I can see from the type of training he is doing right now, it's just like the Kenyans.

"So I wouldn't be surprised to see Isaac maybe in the top five at this year's Olympic Games because right now he is in top shape.

"So we keep on praying, we keep on supporting until he sails through."

The official opening of the Paris 2024 Olympics is scheduled for this Friday, and will run until August 11th. 

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