The national athletics team trio of Salome Nyirarukundo, Beatha Nishimwe and Clementine Mukandaga has intensified preparations ahead of the upcoming 20th Africa Athletics Senior Championships that is scheduled for June 22-26 in Durban, South Africa.

Under the guidance of the national team head coach Anicet Kanyabugoyi, the trio has been in training for the past one month at Amahoro national stadium. The three will be using the continental championships to attain the minima time for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"Preparations are going on pretty well and there has been a noticeable improvement since we started last month, we are targeting a good performance, and to qualify more athletes to the Olympic Games from this competition,” Kanyabugoyi told Times Sport on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Nyirarukundo will compete in the 5000m, Mukandaga, 30, in 10.000m while 18-year-old Nishimwe in the 1500m.

"I am optimistic we can get at least two more qualifications for the Olympic Games because all the these athletes are familiar with international competitions, so experience won’t be a problem,” Kanyabugoyi further noted.

It is the first time that Rwandan athletes have qualified for the continental show piece; previously Rwanda has been sending athletes on invitation. The trio is expected to fly to South Africa on June 19

Rwanda has already booked three athletics tickets for the Olympic Games that includes; Jean Baptiste Simukeka, Claudette Mukasakindi and Netherlands-based Ambroise Uwiragiye—all will compete in full marathon.

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