Tanzania to send 18 athletes to Paris Olympic Games

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania will be offered four wildcard entries by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France, bringing its contingent to 18 athletes.

This comes after only four athletes, Alphonce Simbu, Gabriel Geay, Magdalena Shauri, and Jackline Sakilu having qualified for the marathon event.

Women's football, judo, boxing, and swimming teams failed to qualify for various African and international competitions, leading to the wildcard entries.

Those picked for the wildcard entries include boxer Yusuph Changalawe, judoka Andrew Mlugu, and swimmers Collins Saliboko and Sophia Latiff.

The Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11, whereby Tanzania’s contingent is expected to comprise a journalist, a doctor, its head, four coaches, and eight athletes.

Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) vice president Henry Tandau confirmed that Tanzania’s contingent will be made up of 18 members.

"Those who will travel are 18, including four coaches of athletics, boxing, judo, and swimming, eight athletes, and other officials including the head of the contingent, a doctor, a journalist, and three others," he said.

Tanzania Judo Association secretary general Innocent Mallya said they have secured one spot for Mlugu, who will be accompanied by he himself as his coach.

"Mlugu is in France continuing his training programme there. We will meet him there when the Tanzania team arrives," said Mallya, noting that the judoka will compete in the 73 kg category at the Olympics.

Regarding swimming, Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) secretary general Inviolata Itatiro said swimmers Collins Saliboko and Sophia Latiff will represent the country.

"We haven't chosen the coach yet, but it will expectedly be the national swimming team head coach (Alexander Mwaipasi)," she said.

She added that the swimmers are continuing their training with their clubs, Dar Swim and Taliss, while waiting to pitch camp under the TOC or the government (National Sports Council).

For his part, Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) president Lukelo Wililo said Changalawe will represent the country in the light heavyweight division.

"For the coach, we requested to send two coaches, Mohammed Abubakari and Samwel Kapungu. If that is not possible, either of them will go," he said.

Lukelo explained that Kapungu trains Changalawe on techniques and tactics, while Abubakari on strength and conditioning.

"They have a special programme, although he is in training currently with his military team waiting to enter camp," he said.

Tanzania will compete in the Olympics with the history of having won two silver medals at the 1980 Moscow Olympics in Russia.