Story by Raynald Ngwarati, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN long-distance runner Isaac Mpofu had a decent finish in the men’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after finishing 19th overall this Saturday.
On a day that Tamirat Tola broke a 16-year-old Olympic record, Zimbabwe’s marathoner Mpofu put in a brilliant show in one of the hardest terrains in Olympics history.
Mpofu completed the 42-kilometre race inside 2 hrs 10 minutes and 6 seconds to finish 19th in the men’s marathon.
“Everything was ok but the terrain was a little bit challenging, but I coped well. The time I got was 2:10 and we had targeted 2:10 and below so I ran 2:10, I tried my best. I’m happy though I wanted the top 10, but I’m happy that’s the outcome of the day and I just thank God and will try and prepare for the coming challenges,” he said.
Mpofu’s finish means that Cuthbert Nyasango’s 7th place finish in 2012 remains the best finish by a Zimbabwean national, although, he has bettered the time by two minutes.
Ethiopia’s Tola, who only got confirmation to participate at the Olympic Games two weeks before the games began, had a dream day in which he stomped into the Olympic record books.
He recorded a time of 2 hrs 6 minutes and 26 seconds to beat Samuel Wanjiru’s record of 2 hrs 6 minutes and 32 seconds set at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Meanwhile, Rutendo Nyahora will conclude Zimbabwe’s participation in the games when she takes to the field for the women’s marathon at 8am this Sunday.
Nyahora is the country’s last hope if the country is to clinch a medal at Paris 2024, but Team Zimbabwe’s impressive performances cannot be ignored.
