Simbu hopes to win medal at the Paris Olympic Games
Tanzania's long distance runner Alphonce Simbu. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- For the first time, Simbu and Geay will participate in the same race, something Simbu says boosts their morale to compete and motivate each other, as has been the case with athletes from other countries, especially Kenya and Ethiopia.
Dar es Salaam. Prominent runner Alphonce Simbu has promised to finish in the top three at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which begin on Friday.
Tanzania’s squad captain, Simbu (pictured), is one of seven competitors who will represent the country in the multisport event.
Swimmers Collins Saliboko and Sophia Latiff, judoka Andrew Mlugu, and runners Jackline Sakilu, Magdalena Shauri, and Gabriel Geay are also on the roster.
Simbu stated that despite the marathon containing world champions such as Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, they will still run well.
“This is our year; with the preparations we have made, there is no doubt that Tanzania will be among the top three in the marathon this season.”
For the first time, Simbu and Geay will participate in the same race, something Simbu says boosts their morale to compete and motivate each other, as has been the case with athletes from other countries, especially Kenya and Ethiopia.
“We are determined to do our best in the Games. We need to add medals as currently, we only have two, won by Filbert Bayi and Suleiman Nyambui in Moscow in 1980,” insisted Simbu.
Tanzania’s delegation also includes coaches Anthony Mwingereza (athletics), Alex Mwaipasi (swimming), and Innocent Mallya (judo). The head of the delegation, Henry Tandau, who is vice president of the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC), journalist Muhidin Issa Michuzi, and team doctor Eliasa Mkongo, will also accompany the team.
TOC Secretary General Filbert Bayi said Tanzania's delegation to the games would depart in phases.
The first group, consisting of Tandau, will leave today. The second group will depart tomorrow, and the last group, consisting of athletes, will leave on August 7, ready for the games that will take place from July 26 to August 11.
Bayi said TOC's preparations began in January 2022, with five athletes receiving sponsorship from the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity program, including Simbu, Geay, Failuna Abdi, Mlugu, and swimmer Hilal Hilal.
"Among them, Simbu and Geay met the standards, Mlugu got a special spot to participate in the Olympics, and Hilal and Failuna did not qualify," he said.
