THE Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has pledged to cover expenses for the national men’s 4x400m relay team following their record-breaking performance earlier this month.
Gerren Muwishi, Leeford Zuze, Thandazani Ndlovu and Dennis Hove recently set a new national record of 3 minutes 02.10 seconds to secure qualification for the upcoming World Relays.
Their outstanding performance impressed the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, which has now committed to supporting their preparations.
The 2026 World Athletics Relays will be held in Gaborone, Botswana, at the National Stadium from May 2-3, 2026.
ZOC confirmed it will fund the team’s air travel and a week-long training camp in Botswana.
Speaking at a handover ceremony yesterday, ZOC chief executive Marlene Gadzirayi said the organisation was impressed by the athletes’ achievements.
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“As ZOC, we would like to express our excitement with what the team has achieved,” Gadzirayi said.
She said athletics remains a priority discipline for the organisation.
“Athletics is our number one priority sport and we are proud to support them in their journey.”
Gadzirayi said the broader vision is to see the team qualify for major global competitions.
“The broader vision is to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in China next year and then the LA28 Olympics.”
She also wished the team success ahead of their Botswana assignment.
“We wish the team the best in Botswana.”
Meanwhile, National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara said the federation is encouraged by the relay team’s progress.
He said the association is pleased with how the athletes have responded after rewriting the national record books.
“The target is to have two relay teams at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles,” Tagara said.
He highlighted the depth of Zimbabwean sprinting talent currently based abroad.
“Our top nine sprinters are based in the US and we should have a strong 4x100 team,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the 4x400m team’s chances based on their individual performances.
“This 4x400 team with the individual times off 44 and 45 seconds in 400 meters we should make it to LA28,” he said.
Tagara added that the quartet has raised the bar for other athletes in the country.
“This team has set a standard and challenge for the other athletes, and that’s the spirit,” he said.
The Zimbabwe relay team secured qualification for the World Relays after breaking a long-standing national record that had stood for 27 years.
Their time of 3 minutes 02.10 seconds not only erased the previous mark, but also signalled Zimbabwe’s return as a competitive force in the 4x400m discipline.
The performance has injected renewed belief within local athletics structures ahead of major international competitions.
With financial backing now secured, the focus shifts to fine-tuning preparations and improving baton exchanges during the Botswana meet.
Zimbabwe will be hoping the quartet can carry their record-breaking momentum into the global arena.