NAAZ Vice President, Enias Nhoro, said recently the system would involve bringing together all the country’s top athletes in a two-day competition, winners from which would qualify to represent Zimbabwe at the Olympic Games.
This is a departure from the previous norm in which athletes have been handpicked following their impressive showings in overseas competitions.
“That will cover all the athletes. Those based outside and the locals will be brought together to compete and the winners will represent the country. We want to pick athletes on their current performance, not what they have done in the past,” said Nhoro, adding that they were in negotiations with potential sponsors to bankroll such a competition.
This selection system is used in top athletics nations like the USA, Jamaica, and Kenya. Nhoro said although the Olympic Games had specific qualifying standards, bringing together all the athletes would see tough competition that would help the athletes meet or beat those qualifying standards.
Zimbabwe is still to win a track and field medal at the Olympic Games, with the best so far being long jumper Ngonidzashe Makusha’s fourth placing at the 2004 Games in Beijing.
Post published in: Athletics
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