Tanzania swimmers leave for world event in Qatar
The combination photos of four Tanzanian swimmers, who will compete in the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- This high-profile event doubles as a crucial qualifier for the Paris Olympics, putting Tanzania’s athletes' skills to the test on the world stage.
Dar es Salaam. Four Tanzania swimmers leave today for Doha, Qatar, where they will compete in the World Aquatics Championships that start on Sunday this month.
The championships will be hosted at the Aspire Dome, according to Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) secretary general Inviolata Itatiro.
The swimmers are Natalia Ladha and Amylia Chali who will feature in the women’s category while Prince Ethan Alimanya and Michael Joseph in the men’s category. The team will leave by an Ethiopian airline plane at 5pm.
Itatiro said the swimmers were in intensive training under head coach Michael Livingstone ahead of the event.
Apart from the four swimmers, the trip include two officials from the swimming governing body and another from the Africa Aquatics Bureau.
“The swimmers trained hard ahead of the event and are hopeful to do their best in the championships,” said Itatiro.
The World Aquatics Championships are a prestigious event that gathers various nations for top-level competitions at which swimmers showcase their skills.
This high-profile event doubles as a crucial qualifier for the Paris Olympics, putting Tanzania’s athletes' skills to the test on the world stage.
This edition of the World Aquatics Championships is the first for the Middle East, with Doha taking the reins after previously hosting the 25m version in 2014 and nine legs of the World Cup series.
However, the timing, just five months before the Paris Olympics, has sparked some debate among athletes and federations.
Nevertheless, Tanzania's participation signifies a pivotal moment for our aquatic athletes.
It's an opportunity to showcase their dedication, talent, and potential on the global platform, paving the way for future success in international waters.
The swimming championships were originally scheduled to be held in November 2023, but were postponed to February 2024 in response to the rescheduling of the 20th edition of the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan from 2021 to 2022 due to the Covid -19 pandemic.
