National Sports

Four Malawi AU Games medals discredited

 

The Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) has discredited four medals, including the only gold, which Malawian athletes won at the just ended Games in Angola.

According to Malawi team leader of delegation, Joseph Mazaza, the development is a result of few countries competing in the events which the athletes won the medals.

The affected athletes are Nalicy Chirwa, Mercy Malembo and Ellen Nyoka who scooped gold, silver and bronze medals respectively in the 5 000m. The other medallist is boxer Hannock Phiri who won bronze.

The discrediting of the medals has reduced the country’s number of medals at this year’s Games from 13 to nine. Malawi finished second from bottom at a tournament competed for by 10 countries.

Malawian athletes show off their medals

Said Mazaza: “Athletes who received medals are 13 in total. Out of 13 those that are considered on country ranking are nine. What happened is that there are some events, for example in 5 000m athletics which only Malawi and South Africa competed.”

“In the final assessment of the results, it was agreed that medals received in events where less than three countries competed will not be considered on country rankings. This is why Malawi has nine medals finally,” he added.

Mazaza said they were not upset by the decision arguing that all the 10 participating countries had some medals discredited.

South Africa dominated the medals by raking in 127 while Swaziland finished bottom with a single medal.

Mazaza drew lessons from South Africa: “They have been shaping their athletes for more than four years. These are athletes that come to these games with full knowledge of the games and they easily win medals.” n

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