By Mubukwanu Kaingu
The last bunch of Team Zambia athletes have arrived in France ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games that Paris is hosting from July 26 to August 11.
According to a statement released by first secretary press at the Zambia’s embassy in Paris Naomi Mweemba, the Olympians arrived in Paris on Saturday and were met at Charles de Gaulle Airport by Zambia’s ambassador to France Judith Mulenga.
“There is nothing better than the Olympic Games to promote peace, security and stability. We have over 200 nationalities competing and sports show that we are all equal. In Sports, there is nothing about race because everybody is equal,” said Ambassador Mulenga.
The team included Commonwealth Games 400 meters champion Muzala Samukonga plus the 4×400 men’s relay team that he is expected to anchor.
Zambia athletics national team coach Douglas Kalembo said they were upbeat about getting the nation’s first Olympic medal since Samuel Matete’s 400-meter hurdles silver medal win at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
“As Zambia Athletics this year we have performed well and adequately prepared, as you know we are number three in the world right now and we are here not just to participate but compete and win medals,” Kalembo said.
The other athletes in Saturday’s traveling party include the two-member swimming team comprising Damien Shamambo and Mia Phiri including female boxer Margret Tembo.
