Athletes eye London spots

RWANDAN athletes are hoping to give their best shot at qualifying for the London Olympics during the 18th African Senior Athletics Championships which starts today in Porto Novo, Benin.The Rwandan team is made up of Robert Kajuga (10000m), Cyriaque Ndayikengurukiye (5000m), Emmanuel Ntakiyimana (400m), Jean Kanyangara (100m & Long jump) and Claudette Mukasakindi (10,000m).The team, which is coached by Martin Uwimana and Jean Paul Niyintuze, has been training in high altitude areas of Kenya’s Ngong and will be using this championships as their last chance to book a place at the London Games.Speaking to Times Sport before the team’s departure to Porto Novo, team leader Kajuga was optimistic about their chances of attaining the minimum qualification marks.He said, “We are ready and look forward to representing the country in Benin. We have had good training sessions there (Ngong) in good conditions, and hopefully we can achieve our targets.” Kajuga’s personal best in 10000m is 28.45.00 and he needs to slash 40 seconds to clinch London’s mark of 28.05.00.Mukasakindi, who has traversed Europe in search of a minimum qualification without much success, believes she is ready to realise her dream of making it to the London Games.“It is unfortunate I failed to attain the required mark to qualify for the Olympics but I still have the last chance in Benin. I’m prepared to give my best so as to qualify,” noted Mukasakindi, who is also a possible candidate for a London’s wildcard if she fails to make it in Benin but improves her personal best time.Mukasakindi, who has had vast experience in international athletics, must slash two minutes from her 34.00.00’s personal best in order to make it to London.The Rwandan team for the African championship games left Kigali yesterday for Benin.If any of Benin-bound athletes clinches the Olympic mark, they will join four other athletes that have already qualified.Rwanda has only two athletes qualified and two others issued with wildcards to compete in London games. They include Adrien Niyonshuti (mountain bike), Jean Pierre Mvuyekure (marathon), while Fred Yannick Uwase Sekamana (Judo) and Alphonsine Agahozo (swimming) received invitations.

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Athletes eye London spots