Paris Olympics:Zimbabwe denies report of sending seven athletes and 67 officials to Olympics

President of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) Thabani Gonye has revealed that Team Zimbabwe consists of only 17 persons, including athletes and officials.

He stated that the delegation going to Paris for the Olympics consists of seven athletes and eight officials, with himself and the ZOC's Chief Executive Officer, Marlene Chiedza Gadzirayi, serving as the only non-technical officials on the squad. 

He clarified that, while many Zimbabweans are in Paris for a variety of reasons, they are not part of their delegation to the Games.

“We are aware though that there are many other technical officials, dignitaries invited to the games directly to officiate and as guests and many other hundreds of Zimbabweans in Paris in various capacities, some to support our team at the Games, who as ZOC we can’t account and comment on,” Gonye said, as quoted by Chronicles Zimbabwe.

“These are not part of Team Zimbabwe delegation but Zimbabweans all welcome and free to cheer our athletes on.”

Athletes: Isaac Mpofu, Rutendo Nyahora (marathon), Stephen Cox (rowing), Tapiwa Makarawu, Makanakaishe Charamba (200m sprint), Denilson Cyprianos (swimming 200m backstroke), Paige van Der Westhuizen – swimming (100m freestyle).

Technical officials

Chef de mission – Ringisai Mapondera

Admin and welfare – Sipiwe Nyamande

Physiotherapist – Abigail Mnikwa

Track & Field coach – Henry Tabarie

Marathon coach – Benson Chauke

Swimming coach – Masi Takaedza

Rowing coach – Franz Imfield

Rowing manager – Andrew Lorimer

Source : Lead News Online