Zimbabwe denies sending 67 officials and only seven athletes to the Paris Olympic Games

Some members of Team Zimbabwe pose of a picture during the official opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Picture: Zimbabwe Olympic Committee / X

Some members of Team Zimbabwe pose of a picture during the official opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Picture: Zimbabwe Olympic Committee / X

Published Aug 1, 2024

Share

As athletes compete for gold in Paris, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has denied reports that it sent 17 athletes and 67 officials to the 2024 Summer Olympics Games.

— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) July 24, 2024

A Zimbabwe official said the Team Zimbabwe delegation that headed to Paris was made up of just 17 people.

The denial comes a week after the Southern African nation was subjected to high levels of scrutiny and mockery on social media after reports that they had sent more dignitaries than competing athletes to Paris.

ZOC President Thabani Gonye said many officials were invited to the games directly and did not form part of the official Zimbabwe delegation, that had been sent to the Olympic Games.

“We are aware though that there are many other technical officials, dignitaries invited to the games directly to officiate and as guests and many other hundreds of Zimbabweans in Paris in various capacities, some to support our team at the Games, who as ZOC we can’t account and comment on,” Gonye told Chronicles Zimbabwe.

Gonye added that while they were not part of Team Zimbabwe they were more than welcome to support their nation in Paris.

— Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (@TeamZimOlympic) July 28, 2024

Full list of Zimbabwe delegation to the Olympic Games

Athletes: Isaac Mpofu, Rutendo Nyahora (marathon), Stephen Cox (rowing), Tapiwa Makarawu, Makanakaishe Charamba (200m sprint), Denilson Cyprianos (swimming 200m backstroke), Paige van Der Westhuizen - swimming (100m freestyle).

Technical officials

Chef de mission – Ringisai Mapondera

Admin and welfare - Sipiwe Nyamande

Physiotherapist - Abigail Mnikwa

Track & Field coach – Henry Tabarie

Marathon coach – Benson Chauke

Swimming coach – Masi Takaedza

Rowing coach - Franz Imfield

Rowing manager - Andrew Lorimer

ZOC Officials

President – Thabani Gonye

CEO – Marlene Gadzirayi

IOL Sport