DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S Olympic Hopes Dimmer Tanzania’s small contingent of seven athletes fell short of medaling at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The nation’s hopes were dashed as none of its representatives advanced past the preliminary rounds.
The team, composed of Andrew Mlugu in Judo, Sophia Latiff and Colins Saliboko in Swimming and the marathon quartet of Alphonce Simbu, Gabriel Gaey, Jackline Sakilu and Magdalena Shauri, was unable to secure a podium finish.
The disappointing results have sparked renewed calls for a comprehensive evaluation of Tanzania’s Olympic programmes, including athlete selection, training and resource allocation.
Former athlete Seleman Nyambui, renowned for winning a bronze medal at the 1978 All-Africa Games and a silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 1980 Summer Olympics, offered a critical assessment of the country’s performance.
“One significant issue was the marathon team arriving just a few days before the competition,” Nyambui observed.
“Training in Arusha, which is much colder than Paris, made it challenging for the athletes to adapt to the heat. Simbu, despite his potential to finish in a top position, struggled due to the weather conditions.”
Nyambui emphasised the need for enhanced motivation in sports, similar to what is seen in other fields, suggesting that increased enthusiasm could foster better development in athletics.
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On his part the president of the Tanzania Judo Federation (JATA), Zaidi Hamis attributed Tanzania’s lackluster showing to disunity among government bodies, sports federations and the Olympic committee.
“Preparation is essential for success, yet we lack the resources and facilities needed for optimal training and the lack of cohesion has resulted in fewer representatives at the Olympics,” Hamis explained.
He proposed focusing on sports where Tanzania shows potential and investing in those areas to improve results in future competitions.
While Chaurembo Palasa, a former leader of the Tanzania Professional Boxing Commission (TPBRC), highlighted another issue, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of talent scouts.
“We have a wealth of talents on the streets, but without effective talent identification and development programs, this potential remains untapped,” Palasa said.
He advocated for a robust system to scout and nurture talent to achieve notable successes on the international stage.
Tanzania’s last Olympic medals were earned in 1980, with two silver medals in athletics.
With improved preparation and support, there is hope that future Olympics will see a revival of Tanzania’s athletic prowess.
