Malawi’s hopes  on Simwaka

Malawians will this morning be glued to their televisions as short distance runner Asimenye Simwaka carries the country’s hopes at the Paris Olympic Games  in 100 metres (m) at Stade de France.

Malawi is participating at the summer Games on solidarity and has never qualified for the event, let alone won a medal.

Yesterday, it was the same old story as swimmer Filipe Gomes finished 49 out of 74 (eighth in heat five) 50m freestyle, to miss qualification to the next round.

Gomes, who was returning to the Games after he also participated at Tokyo 2020 Olympic, finished the stretch in 24.11, 2.79 behind winner Australian McEvoy Cameron.

Despite the result, the 27-year-old said he was happy with his performance.

He said: “The result was nice. I’m happy with the results. It was my best result since Covid-19 era. So, for the last three years, I’ve been trying to swim as fast as this result.”

Gomes said he had also learned a lot from the Games.

“Every time I wear the Malawi colours, I’m always proud to represent. And I’ve learned that no matter the experience, when you come to the Olympic Games, your nerves just hit different.”

Gomes’ coach Brave Lifa said finishing 49th in the world was okay, considering that the last time he swam at such a prestigious level was at the last Games.

He said: “Considering that he took a one year break between the Olympic Games, the performance that he has done is really tremendous, and I’m really,  satisfied. There is a lot more room for him to work on his time.”

But Malawi chef de mission Naomi Chinatu, who is also Malawi Olympic Committee director, in an interview from Paris, described the results as ‘bad’.

“His seed time was 23.99 and he has done 24.11. He has added time actually,” she said.

With Gomes out of the race, Malawians’ attention today shifts to Simwaka.

This is the second Olympics for the athlete, having debuted in Tokyo Games.

Simwaka, who advanced from the preliminary rounds, said this time she is aiming higher.

Athletics Malawi president Kondwani Chamwala, in an interview also said Simwaka is capable of putting  Malawi on the map.

The 26-year-old was also 2022 Commonwealth Games 400m finalist (sixth), setting a national record of 51.55.

Meanwhile, female swimmer Tayamika Chang’anamuno will compete tomorrow in 50m freestyle.