THE just ended Paris Olympics will be remembered in Zimbabwean sports history as a moment of profound significance.
We all, with great joy, watched our two sprinters, Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba, blaze their way to the finals of the men’s 200 metres.
Their presence on that global stage was more than just an athletic achievement; it showcased the talent and potential that exists within our nation.
These athletes showed that Zimbabwe can compete with the best in the world.
They embodied the hopes and dreams of a nation eager for a place among the sporting elite.
Yet, as the cheers of Paris fade into memory, we are left with a crucial realisation: the work is far from over.
If we are to translate this moment of pride into lasting success, our journey toward the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 must begin now.
Reflecting on the achievements of Makarawu and Charamba, it is clear that their journey to the finals was not just about natural talent.
It was the result of years of meticulous preparation, intense training and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Their stories are those of athletes who overcame numerous challenges — both on and off the track — to reach the pinnacle of their sport.
But their success also highlights the broader potential of Zimbabwean athletics. If two sprinters could achieve so much with the meagre resources and support available to them, imagine what could be accomplished if we were to invest more broadly in our athletes, from grassroots to elite levels.
The path that Makarawu and Charamba took to reach the Paris finals was marked by a series of extraordinary performances.
Makarawu, with his smooth, controlled running style, demonstrated a level of race management that belied his years. Each stride seemed calculated, each movement designed to conserve energy while maintaining maximum speed.
Charamba, on the other hand, brought a different kind of energy to the track. His explosive starts and powerful strides immediately caught the attention of the global audience.
He is a sprinter who ran with his heart on his sleeve, pushing his limits with every race. Together, they carried the weight of a nation’s expectations and they did so with grace and determination.
Their journey through the heats and semi-finals was a roller-coaster of emotions. For every step they took closer to the finals, the hopes of millions of Zimbabweans rose with them. When they finally stood on the starting line of the 200-metre final, it was not just their personal ambitions that were at stake; they were representing the aspirations of an entire nation.
And though they did not leave Paris with medals around their necks, their achievement in reaching the final was a victory in itself. It signalled to the world — and to Zimbabweans — that our country has the potential to produce world-class athletes.
However, as we bask in the pride of their accomplishment, we must also confront the reality that this success was not the result of a well-oiled national sports machine.
Makarawu and Charamba’s journeys were shaped as much by their personal determination as by any structured support system.
To replicate — and surpass — this success in Los Angeles 2028, we must take deliberate steps to build a sustainable sports programme that nurtures talent from the ground up.
The foundation of any successful sports programme lies in grassroots development.
Makarawu and Charamba’s talent was identified and nurtured at a young age, but for every athlete who makes it to the top, there are countless others whose potential goes unrealised.
In many parts of Zimbabwe, young sportspeople do not have access to decent training facilities, equipment or coaching.
This lack of resources limits their development and prevents them from reaching their full potential.
If we are serious about competing on the global stage, we must invest in grassroots across the country.
Schools, local clubs and community organisations should be equipped with the resources they need to identify and nurture young talent. This includes providing access to proper training facilities, hiring qualified coaches and organising regular competitions that allow the youngsters to test themselves against their peers.
Coaching, in particular, is an area where Zimbabwe can make significant strides. The importance of having knowledgeable, skilled coaches cannot be overstated. Makarawu and Charamba benefited from coaching that helped them refine their techniques, build their physical and mental strength and develop race strategies that played to their strengths.
However, such expertise is not uniformly available. To ensure that all sportspersons have the opportunity to reach their potential, we must enhance our coaching programmes.
This could involve providing further training and certification for local coaches, bringing in international experts to share their knowledge and ensuring that coaches have access to the latest developments in sports science and technology. By doing so, we can create a generation of sportspeople who are not only physically prepared but also mentally equipped to compete at the highest level.
In addition to improving coaching, there is a pressing need to establish high-performance centres in Zimbabwe.
These centres would serve as hubs where elite athletes can access world-class training facilities, sports science support and medical care.
Such facilities are essential for athletes who wish to compete at the highest level. They provide the environment necessary for intensive training and recovery, allowing athletes to push their limits while minimising the risk of injury.
High-performance centres would also play a crucial role in the early identification of talent, ensuring that promising athletes receive the support they need from a young age.
As we look ahead to Los Angeles 2028, it is also important to recognise that the journey to Olympic success is not just about physical training.
The mental and emotional well-being of athletes is equally important.
Competing at the Olympics is a high-pressure experience that can take a toll on even the most seasoned athletes. Makarawu and Charamba’s ability to stay focused and perform under pressure was a key factor in their success in Paris.
To support our athletes holistically, we must provide them with access to psychological support, nutritional guidance and opportunities for personal development.
By addressing these aspects of their lives, we can help athletes manage the pressures of competing at the highest level and ensure they are in peak condition when it matters most.
Financial support is another critical component of any successful sports programme. Preparing for the Olympics requires significant investment in training, equipment, travel and other expenses.
In the past, many Zimbabwean athletes have had to rely on personal resources or limited sponsorships to fund their training and competition schedules.
This lack of financial support can be a major barrier to success. If we are to see more Zimbabwean athletes competing — and winning — at the Olympics, we must secure adequate funding for our athletics programme.
This will require a concerted effort from both the Government and the private sector. Sponsorships, partnerships, and Government grants can all play a role in providing the financial resources our athletes need to succeed. Establishing a sustainable funding model will ensure that athletes can focus on their training and competition without the added stress of financial concerns.
In addition to financial support, public and media support can play a crucial role in motivating athletes and raising the profile of sports in Zimbabwe. The achievements of Makarawu and Charamba captured the imagination of the nation and this momentum must be maintained.
National campaigns that celebrate sporting achievements, coupled with increased media coverage of local and international competitions, will help keep the spotlight on athletics and inspire the next generation.
Public recognition of athletes’ efforts can also boost their confidence and encourage them to continue pushing their limits. The road to Los Angeles 2028 is long and maintaining public enthusiasm for athletics will be key to sustaining the drive for success.
As we move forward, it is important to remember that the legacy of Paris 2024 extends beyond the achievements of Makarawu and Charamba.
Their success has inspired a new generation of young athletes who now believe that they, too, can reach the Olympic stage.
This inspiration must be harnessed to create a lasting impact on Zimbabwean athletics. We must build a culture of excellence in sports, where young athletes are encouraged to dream big and provided with the tools to achieve those dreams.
This culture should be ingrained in our schools, communities and national institutions, creating a pipeline of talent that will sustain Zimbabwean athletics for years to come.
The Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 represent a new opportunity for Zimbabwe to showcase its talent on the world stage.
But this opportunity will only be realised if we take the necessary steps now to prepare.
The achievements of Makarawu and Charamba have shown us that Zimbabwe has the talent and potential to compete with the best in the world. However, talent alone is not enough. We must commit to nurturing this talent, providing the necessary support and creating an environment where our athletes can thrive. This will require a collective effort from all stakeholders — Government, sporting bodies, coaches, sponsors and the public.
The journey to Los Angeles 2028 begins today. It is a journey that will require hard work, dedication and strategic planning.
But if we stay focused on the goal and work together, there is no reason why Zimbabwe cannot emerge as a formidable force in 2028.
The success of Makarawu and Charamba in Paris was just the beginning. With the right support and preparation, Zimbabwean athletes cannot only compete in Los Angeles — they can win.
