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 Lovemore Dube, [email protected]

HANA Taylor (19), Bulawayo’s top rider is worried that she may not be at her best when the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) 2024 BMX Championships take place at Busters tomorrow and Sunday.

She is among the best because of her performances in the last two years. 

Taylor she has garnered enough points to stand a chance of excelling and participate in this year’s Olympic Games to be hosted by Paris, France.

In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday afternoon, Taylor said she was not in best of shapes as she had sat it out for weeks with injury.

“I’ve been out on injury for a couple of weeks and I only got on my bike yesterday. I’m however, still set up to get the Olympic spot because of my points,” said Taylor yesterday.

Kudakwashe Mswaka the spokesperson for the organisers said it is all systems go. She declared Zimbabwe ready to play host to the championships whose results have a bearing on rankings and stand locals a chance to make the grade for the Olympics.

Hana “Poppy” Taylor

Bulawayo is playing host to the games after successfully staging last year’s competition at the same venue. They received rave reviews from participants from other countries and the continental body and were commended for a good course on which the competition is held.

Mswaka disclosed that the country will be hosting Algeria, Morocco and South Africa to what is expected be quality competition as riders from the four participating nations vie for the Olympics which is every athlete’s dream.

“Zimbabwe will be hosting three countries, South Africa, Morocco and Algeria. This comes on the back of Zimbabwe successfully hosting the 2022 and 2023 BMX African Championships,” said Mswaka.

She disclosed that those participating in the Elite category will earn points towards the Olympic Games.

“This year, participation in the Elites category will earn points for the participating riders towards qualification to the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, France,” said Mswaka. 

Zimbabwe has a number of Olympic hopefuls participating. 

Zimbabwe hopefuls:

Women Elite 

Hana Taylor, Helen Mitchell, Ashleigh Gore, Kudakwashe Mswaka, Ruvimbo Mtasa. 

Men’s Elites 

Joe Ruwoko, Simon Martin, Gaylord Kanduku, Malone Kanduku