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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Sports and Recreation Commission has congratulated the rowing duo of Mucheen Thornycroft and Peter Purcell-Gilpin for qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Their qualification now brings to four the number of Zimbabwean athletes that have booked their tickets to Brazil for the world’s biggest sporting showcase.

In a statement, the country’s supreme sports body said the duo’s feat was testimony that Zimbabwe is a growing force in rowing. “It’s pleasing to the note that so far Zimbabwe has four athletes, Kirsty Coventry, Wirimai Zhuwawo, Thornycroft and Purcell-Gilpin who have qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games. There is need to prioritise supporting the preparatory activities, which include training and participation in prior competitions which will sharpen their skills ahead of the Olympics,” read the statement.

“It’s in this light that we kindly request our government and other stakeholders to consider supporting the athletes at this critical moment, for it’s only those athletes and teams which are supported technically and logistically prior to the competitions which are likely to do well than those teams which are not supported.”

The SRC said Zimbabwe’s potential to conquer was huge depending on the preparations.

“Our potential to conquer the world is huge, but this can only be transformed into reality if we appreciate that nothing beats preparation. We would like to express our profound gratitude and appreciation to Thornycroft and Purcell-Gilpin for raising our flag high during the qualifiers and registering our name on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Olympic Games’ team Chef de Mission Titus Zvomuya told Chronicle Sport that plans were underway to hold a full training camp for all qualified athletes ahead of departure.

He said the final budgetary requirements for Team Zimbabwe would be determined by the total number of athletes that qualify for the Games.

“The budget formulation is still in its infancy as this will be determined by the final team that will have qualified for the Games. Suffice to say, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee is working closely with the government, through the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the SRC and the affected national sports associations as far as this issue is concerned,” said Zvomuya.