Huge send-off for Zimbabwe’s 4x400m relay team

STAFF WRITER
Zimbabwe’s men’s 4x400m relay team received a rousing send-off on Wednesday as they prepare to depart for Gaborone, Botswana on April 23, where they will compete in the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on April 26,the final competitive tune-up ahead of the World Relays.
The global showpiece event will be held from May 2 to 3 in Gaborone, placing Zimbabwe’s in-form quartet on a crucial stage as they chase Olympic qualification.
The team, comprising Gerren Muwishi, Leeford Zuze, Thandazani Ndlovu and Dennis Hove, will remain in camp in Botswana after the Grand Prix, fine-tuning preparations in the lead-up to the World Relays.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president Tendai Tagara declared that Zimbabwe’s relay ambitions stretch beyond a single team.
“The target is to have two relay teams at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The road to Los Angeles starts now, not tomorrow,” Tagara said.
“Our top nine sprinters are based in the United States, and we have the depth to build a strong 4x100m team. With this 4x400m squad consistently clocking individual times in the 44 and 45-second range, we believe qualification for LA28 is within reach. This team has set the standard and issued a challenge to others. That’s the spirit we want.”
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has further boosted the team’s campaign, stepping in with financial support to ensure optimal preparations for the Botswana assignment.
ZOC chief executive Marlene Gadzirayi confirmed that the organisation will cover the team’s air travel to Botswana, where they will undergo a week-long training camp ahead of the championships.
“Athletics is our number one priority sport, and we are proud to support the relay team in their journey. The broader vision is to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in China next year and ultimately the LA28 Olympic Games. We wish the team the very best in Botswana,” she said.
Zimbabwe’s 4x400m relay squad heads into the competition riding a wave of momentum after rewriting the national record books.
The team recently clocked an impressive 3 minutes 00.69 seconds, eclipsing the long-standing mark of 3 minutes 00.79 seconds set in 1997, a record that had stood for 29 years.
The performance propelled Zimbabwe from 24th to 13th place on the rankings, underlining the team’s rapid ascent on the international stage.