Story by Lawrence Trusida
ZIMBABWEAN triathlete, Andie Kuipers is set to begin her Olympic qualification journey at the Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup set for Troutbeck in Nyanga next month.
The United States-based athlete said the Troutbeck race will mark the official start of her road to the 2028 Olympic Games, after the release of the new Olympic qualification criteria.
Kuipers has already dominated the Under 23 competitions locally and regionally, but she is now moving to the Elite Women race and hopes to launch her Olympic journey at home.
“I am excited to be coming back to Zimbabwe to race at the African Cup in Troutbeck with the new Olympic qualifying criteria having just been released, this will be my opening race of the road to the 2028 Olympic Games. This feels like a full-circle moment for me because Troutbeck is essentially where my track career began. Doing well here would mean a great deal to me, to my federation, and to the Olympic committee. I am here to put my best foot forward and give my very best,”Andie Kuipers said.
The Zimbabwean triathlete is coming off a strong continental showing, having finished fourth in the Elite Women’s race at the 2025 African Games.
Kuipers is part of the nine Zimbabwe athletes on the Olympic Solidarity scholarship.
Meanwhile, the 2026 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup will be officially launched this Tuesday in Harare.
