Simukeka thrilled after historic ticket to Olympic Games

Rwanda international marathon runner Jean Baptiste Simukeka is thrilled after landing a ticket to this year’s Olympic Games but says what matters most next is how he will perform in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Speaking to Times Sport in a phone interview from his training base in Rome, Italy, the APR athletics club runner revealed that he is overjoyed by the thought of competing at the biggest stage since his qualification in December last year. The 31st edition of the quadrennial Olympic Games will run from August 5-21 and will see over 5400 athletes from 146 nations competing for medals in 306 events from 28 sports disciplines. Simukeka, 32, earned his ticket from Reggio Emilia marathon, Italy on December 13 after clocking 2:17:14 to finish second in 42km full marathon. Simukeka trained for four months before becoming the second Rwandan athletics star to qualify for the 31st Olympic Games after Claudette Mukasakindi, who qualified in late November. “This was a hard earned ticket, I intensively trained for four months before the competition, I will resume training on January 17. All I think of now is Olympics, what matters most to me is how I will represent the country,” Simukeka told this paper. He added that, “I have enough time to prepare so that I can keep improving on my time. I want to do what has not been done by any Rwandan at the Olympics and considering my current form and enthusiasm, I am confident I can do a lot better.” Apart from Simukeka and Mukasakindi, other Rwandans, who have qualified for Rio include; Nathan Byukusenge (mountain cycling) and Janvier Hadi (road cycling) while Hermas Muvunyi (middle distance runner) and National women’s sitting volleyball team have qualified for Paralympic Games. Simukeka will be making his debut at the world’s most glamorous sports event while Mukasakindi, 33, will be making her second appearance after the 2012 London Olympics where she used 2:51:07 to finish 101st.

Sports

Simukeka thrilled after historic ticket to Olympic Games