Zimbabwean long-distance runner Rutendo Nyahora could not complete the women’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday morning.
Nyahora, who was making her second Olympic appearance after receiving a universality slot from World Athletics, dropped out of the 42km race after completing 22 kilometres.
She was one of six runners who failed to finish the event, including American star Fiona O’Keefe, who withdrew before the 5km mark.
Commenting on her performance, the 35-year-old South African-based athlete said it simply was not her day, as she had stopped twice in the first 20km before deciding to withdraw from the race. She said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/nyahora-finds-going-tough/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
Nothing happened. It was not my day today, I don’t want to lie, it was not my day today. I tried but it was not my day.
It was hard to accept because there was a time when I stopped, I ran again and I stopped and I ran again because I wanted to finish even though I was going to finish last, I wanted to finish. But I don’t know what happened.
</blockquote>
She said she would take a break to rest before she decided on her next move.
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands won the women’s marathon in an Olympic record time of 2 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa finished second in 2:22:58, while Kenya’s Hellen Obiri clocked 2:23:10 to claim the bronze medal.
This was Nyahora’s second Olympic appearance, having previously represented Zimbabwe at the Rio 2016 Games, where she finished 92nd out of 157 athletes.
The women’s marathon was the final event for Team Zimbabwe at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which concluded on Sunday.
In addition to Nyahora, Zimbabwe had six other athletes competing at the Games. Sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba both reached the final of the men’s 200m event.
The two marathon runners were Nyahora and Isaac Mpofu, who finished 19th in the men’s marathon on Saturday.
Paige van der Westhuizen and Denilson Cyprianos competed in swimming, while Stephen Cox represented Zimbabwe in rowing.
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Rutendo Nyahora, a Zimbabwean runner, couldn't finish the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She stopped after running 22 kilometers. She said it wasn't her day and she needed to rest. The race was won by Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands. Nyahora had also competed in the Rio 2016 Olympics. This was the last event for Team Zimbabwe at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Besides Nyahora, six other athletes from Zimbabwe took part in different events like sprinting, swimming, and rowing.

Rutendo Nyahora Fails To Finish Race At Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Zimbabwean sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charambafinished sixth and eighth respectively in the men’s 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held at the Stade de France on Thursday night.
Running side by side in lanes two and three, Makarawu crossed the finish line in 20.10 seconds, while Charamba finished in 20.53 seconds.
The gold medal was won by Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, who set a blistering pace of 19.46 seconds.
USA’s Kenneth Bednarek claimed silver with a time of 19.62 seconds, and compatriot Noah Lyles had to settle for bronze in 19.70 seconds.
Lyles, who had been crowned the world’s fastest man just days earlier in a thrilling 100m final, was hampered by a positive COVID-19 test before the 200m event and had to be assisted off the track in a wheelchair.
The double gold had eluded Lyles, as he sought to emulate the achievements of Usain Bolt in 2016.
For Makarawu and Charamba, this was their Olympic debut, and the first time Zimbabwe had two sprinters reach the final of the 200m at the Olympic Games.
Makarawu, a silver medallist at the Africa Senior Championships held in Cameroon, told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/charamba-makarawu-go-down-fighting-historic-sprint-duo-in-brave-fight/">The Herald</a> that he enjoyed competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He said:
<blockquote>
It was a good experience. The finals today, it was enjoyable. It was the most relaxed race I have ever run in my life.
I wish I could get another lane between those fast guys but it is what it is. But I did my best coming sixth in the world.
</blockquote>
Makarawu is also hopeful of next year’s World Championships after he qualified for the global meet when running 20.07 seconds in the first-round heats on Monday. He said:
<blockquote>
It means a lot to me and it means that we are going somewhere as Zimbabwe, as (well as) me and my coach, I am just three places from the podium finish.
So, from today onwards I know what I need to work on and we will see how it goes from today until next year’s Tokyo World Championships.
</blockquote>
Charamba, who finished last in the race competing at the Olympics was a dream come true. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s my debut and I can’t complain of anything but I want to say it up from here.
To be honest I was scared. This is my first time racing these guys and these are big names.
But since the race is done now, and I have the experience, I will just carry it going forward, now I know what to do and what not to do going forward in the next championship.
So (I will) just get back to the drawing board, rest a bit then get into off-season training in a few months.
It’s a dream come true that I have made it to the Olympics, and everybody was counting me out like nobody thought I was going to make the final.
So now making the finals is a great feeling and finishing in the top eight in the world is great.
Nobody can take that away from me and I am just grateful for the journey and I am looking to a great career.
This championship was a learning curve for me.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean distance runners Isaac Mpofu and Rutendo Nyahora will showcase their endurance at the 2024 Olympic Games, with Mpofu competing in the men’s marathon on Saturday and Nyahora taking on the women’s marathon event on Sunday.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean sprinters Makarawu and Charamba did well at the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing 6th and 8th in the men's 200m final. Makarawu ran in 20.10 seconds, while Charamba finished in 20.53 seconds. The gold medal was won by Letsile Tebogo of Botswana. Kenneth Bednarek of the USA got silver, and Noah Lyles bronze. Lyles had a positive COVID-19 test before the race. Makarawu and Charamba were happy to compete in the Olympics. Makarawu hopes to do well at the World Championships next year. Charamba also dreams of a great career after his Olympic debut.

Zimbabwean Sprinters Makarawu And Charamba Shine At Paris 2024 Olympics

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has granted all Batswana and residents a public holiday this Friday, August 9th, to recognize and celebrate Letsile Tebogo as the first Motswana and first African to win a gold medal in the 200m event at the Olympics.
The 21-year-old Tebogo stormed to victory in the 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday night, setting an African record time of 19.46 seconds and finishing ahead of American Kenneth Bednarek (19.62).
Despite lining up with a personal best of 19.50, Tebogo, who placed 6th in the 100m final, exceeded expectations to claim the historic gold medal.
In a statement issued on Friday, Emmah A. Peloetletse, the Permanent Secretary to the President of Botswana, declared that Tebogo’s extraordinary performance and achievement deserve a nationwide pause to commemorate this landmark moment for the nation. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, hereby declares to the nation, that he has found it a fitting tribute to Mr. Letsile Tebogo, “Botswana’s Sensation”, to grant Batswana and residents an afternoon day-off, on this very day, Friday the 9th August, 2024.
The decision has been duly made to recognise and honour Letsile Tebogo as the first Motswana and first African to win a Gold Medal for 200m in the history of the Olympics.
Furthermore, the President underscores, recognises and acknowledges Letsile’s performance and achievement as markedly outstanding, and deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner, that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic.
Accordingly, His Excellency President Masisi, wishes to state that, on behalf of all of the citizenry, he applauds Letsile and gives thanks unceasingly to his late mother.
A pula e lo nele ka masubelele, Batswana!
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Botswana is giving everyone a day off on Friday, August 9th to celebrate Letsile Tebogo's gold medal win in the Olympics. He won the 200m event, beating everyone in record time. This is a big deal because he is the first Motswana and first African to win gold in this event. The President of Botswana declared this day a holiday to honor Letsile Tebogo and his amazing achievement. Everyone is happy and proud of him!

Botswana Declares Public Holiday To Honour Olympic Gold Medalist Letsile Tebogo

Zimbabwe’s sprinters at the 2024 Paris Olympics Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba have progressed to the 200m finals.
Charamba finished 3rd in the semi-finals Heat Two with 20.31 seconds and Makarawu also finished in 3rd position in Heat Three with 20.16 seconds.
The two sprinters are following in the footsteps of Brain Dzingai, who reached the final at the 2008 Olympics.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/charamba-makarawu-sprint-into-olympic-final/">The Herald</a>, Charamba, who is the son of the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), George Charamba, said:
<blockquote>
The aim of coming here was just to enjoy myself like I said (before) I am not setting expectations for myself, I am just going to try to go there and have fun.
So, I went out there, had fun, and ended up making the final Tapiwa and me.
We can now call ourselves the history makers because, at the end of the day, people never expected two Zimbabweans to be in the final.
It’s a great feeling because the last time Zimbabwe, if I am not mistaken, had a person who was an Olympic finalist in athletics it was Brian Dzingai who is my mentor also.
So, I listen to him. So, by listening to him I managed to make the Olympic final and it’s just a great feeling for me, him, and Tapiwa.
</blockquote>
The heat was won by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo in 19.96 seconds, with United States favourite Noah Lyles coming second in 20.08s. Added Charamba:
<blockquote>
I will probably say it was very pivotal because it was him (Dzingai) and coach Ken (Harnden), he is my coach right now in Auburn. He is a Zimbabwean.
They all played a big role and brought me into the system. I trusted the system and I am now an Olympic finalist.
</blockquote>
Makarawu had another good performance, though he finished behind USA’s Erriyon Knighton who won the race in 20.09s and Joseph Fahnbulleh who was second in 20.12s. Said Makarawu:
<blockquote>
It was impressive for sure, I started feeling tired after 150m. But I think it was okay… I am still impressed that I made it to the finals. It has been my target since last year. So, I am glad today I made that dream come true.
Whatever is going to happen in the final I don’t mind because I have attained the goals that I set for myself for this year. So, I am happy for myself and I thank God for that.
It is such an honour and we thank God for that because it’s history that we made, me and Makanaka and we thank God for that because without God we couldn’t have made the finals but with Him everything is possible and we have made history.
And we are going to do our best tomorrow? We will see how it goes.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's runners, Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu, have made it to the 200m finals at the Paris Olympics. Charamba finished 3rd in his heat, and Makarawu also finished 3rd in his heat. They are following in the footsteps of Brian Dzingai, who reached the final in 2008. Charamba and Makarawu are excited to be in the final and are grateful for the support they have received. They are proud to have made history for Zimbabwe. They are looking forward to doing their best in the final and are grateful for the opportunity to compete at the Olympics.

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