Chiwenga fights back and flies to France – ZimEye

By Sports Reporter – ZANU PF Youths have slammed ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa for blocking Vice President Constantino Chiwenga from contesting the party’s succession race.

The Zimbabwe African National Union (PF) Youth said Mutsvangwa should abide by the rules and stop singing Chiwenga loudly in public.

The attack on Mutsvangwa took place on Wednesday, shortly after Chiwenga flew to the Paris Olympics.

However, Chiwenga has also been criticised for bringing as many as 67 officials to the Games, when only seven athletes actually competed.

Chiwenga has flown to Paris to attend the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday.

This was in stark contrast to other countries such as China, which sent a strong 338 athletes to the Olympics. Surprisingly, China’s sports minister did not even attend the Games, highlighting the disparity in the size and importance of the two countries’ delegations.
Zimbabwe’s seven athletes will compete in athletics, rowing and swimming. Representatives include 200m sprinters Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu, marathon runners Isaac Mpofu and Rutendo Nyahora, swimmers Paige van der Westhuizen and Denilson Cyprianos and rower Stephen Cox.
Zimbabwean team chief Ringisai Mapondera confirmed the team had arrived in Paris and settled in. “Currently in camp are Stephen Cox and Denilson. Denilson arrived today. We are expecting Paige to arrive later today,” he said. He also mentioned the arrival of the physiotherapists and swimming coaches, adding that the whole team will be together in a few days.
Zimbabwean athletes are preparing for the Games but the sheer size of their entourage has raised eyebrows. The officials include various dignitaries, many of whom have little direct connection to the athletes’ preparations or performances. The sheer size of the delegation, compared to the small number of participants, has sparked widespread criticism.
Former Olympian Abel Chimukoko praised the potential of the athletes and expressed optimism about their performance. “Sprinters Makarawu and Charamba are stars. Isaac Mpofu is a top contender in the marathon,” Chimukoko said, stressing the need for support and investment in sports to achieve better results.
However, these positives are overshadowed by the high number of officials. Critics argue that resources spent on non-essential staff could be better used to support athletes and improve their training conditions.
The Vice President’s visit to Paris was said to be part of his diplomatic mission and would also include business meetings to further promote Zimbabwe’s participation and re-engagement on the international stage. However, this has failed to quell domestic discontent.
As the Games progress, Zimbabweans will be watching closely, not only to support their own athletes but also to closely monitor the composition of the delegation and its impact on the country’s sports administration. The official opening ceremony of the Games is scheduled for Friday, and competition will run until August 11.

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