Anna Mguni the ZOC chief executive officer said on Saturday that there was still a chance for runners to qualify.

“There are still some competitions to be held in the next seven days and our athletes could make the grade at the last minute. Realistically we looking at about two athletes making the grade in races to be run in Europe and the Americas,” said Mguni at the end of the Sport and Recreation Commission quarterly meeting on Saturday.

The meeting was held in Harare and attracted a number of national sports associations.

She said the final Zimbabwe team would be presented to the nation on 12 July, the same day they are expected submit the full list to the International Olympic Committee and the organisers of the Games.

Mguni, a former basketball player, administrator and teacher said she was happy with the progress made in preparing off the pitch for the Games. She said the team would be kitted by Mizuno, a well-known sporting brand that has associated with Zimbabwean athletes for a while.

She paid tribute to the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe for engineering the sponsorship.

“We are indebted to Naaz for working with us in getting the sponsorship for the athletes. The other good news is that we have already received the medical kit, there are still some gaps though, here and there but all seems to be shaping up. This year we approached both small and big companies.

“The team already has bags and what has been outstanding has been the ceremonial kit to be worn on the opening day of the Olympics but I can safely say that it is work in progress,” said Mguni.

The ZOC boss said tennis star Takanyi Garanganga failed to make the grade for the Olympics after organisers opted for the top 64 players under the International Tennis Federation.

Garanganga is ranked 584 in the world.

Mguni said this was the strongest tennis field in years in Olympic sport.

“ITF are saying this is the strongest starting line up in the history of the Olympics,” said Mguni.

She said she was disappointed that Ngoni Makusha, a sure medal prospect might not be part of the spectacle due to injury. He was among the top contenders for the long jump where he won bronze last year.

“It’s a pity Ngoni could be out but we still have confidence in the athletes that we are sending that they will do us good. We are at a transition point where we believe the next four-year sporting cycle could bring us good fortunes.

Mguni said the country was headed for exciting times with the 2016 Olympic Games to have Sevens rugby and Golf where top Zimbabwean Brendon de Jongh would be expected to make an impact.

Kirsty Coventry, a winner in the previous two Olympics, will carry the Zimbabwe hopes of glory in swimming at this year’s Olympics. She is expected to be voted into the IOC athletes Commission.

Zimbabwe is also sending Micheen Thorncroft, Jamie Fraser-Mackenzie (rowing ) Cuthbert Nyasango, Wirimai Juwawo, Sharon Tavengwa (athletics- marathon) and Chris Felgate (triathlon).

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