Zimbabwe: Royal Welcome for Kirsty
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
28 August 2008
Posted to the web 28 August 2008
Augustine Hwata
Harare
Harare International Airport was yesterday turned into a sea of red, gold, black, white and green as hundreds of flag-waving Zimbabweans gathered to welcome Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, who grabbed a whopping four medals at the just-ended Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Kirsty won one gold medal and three silver medals, bringing to seven her Olympic haul since 2004.
Among the crowd who welcomed Kirsty were fans, Government officials, sports dignitaries and diplomats.
Her plane touched down shortly before 2pm carrying an advance party of Team Zimbabwe that comprised fellow swimmer Heather Brand and sprinter Brian Dzingai, who was the country's flag bearer during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.
Business came to a standstill at the airport as staff and travelers alike jostled to catch a glimpse of the swimming sensation.
The Minister of Information and Publicity Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Masvingo Provincial Governor Cde Titus Maluleke, Sports Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena, Cde Lysias Bowora, a director with the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture, acting Zimbabwe Olympic Committee President Mrs Busi Chindove and Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Yuan Nansheng were also at the airport to welcome Kirsty.
Team Zimbabwe kit sponsor Brett van Rooyen of Faith Wear, Kirsty's mother Lynn, Brian Dzingai's parents, Zifa chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya and national soccer supporters leader Eddie Nyatanga also joined the welcoming party.
Addressing a Press conference in the airport's VIP lounge, Kirsty said her goal had been to surpass her achievements at the Athens Games held four years ago in Greece where she won three medals -- one gold, one silver and a bronze.
"It feels good to be back home and meeting all the people. After the Athens Games, I never expected the welcome I got when I came back home and I was overwhelmed.
"It was just fantastic getting all the support from people. I love Zimbabwe and it is my home. And since Athens, the support Zimbabweans have given me has kept me motivated.
"Going into the Games in China, I was never under any pressure and my objective really was to get very good times and be on the podium.
"I believe I just did that and got the silver medals," said Kirsty.
She said despite scooping silver in her first three races, she drove herself to get the ultimate prize -- the gold medal and reserved her best for last.
"It was good getting the silver medals but I began to get a little frustrated and tired of getting the silver," she said.
Kirsty took her first silver in the women's 400m individual medley in a new African record of 4 minutes 29,89 seconds.
She got her second silver of in the 100m backstroke in 59,19 seconds and was to land her third silver in the 200m individual medley in another continental record time of 2:08,59.
Kirsty then made sure the Zimbabwe national anthem was played at the Water Cube in Beijing after defending her 200m backstroke title in 2:05,24.
Her world record winning time also eclipsed the 2:09.19 she achieved in winning gold in the same competition in Athens.
"I was frustrated and showed my emotions to my coach Kim (Bracklin), but I was able to channel that emotion into
something positive and got the gold," she said.
But apart from her exploits in the pool Kirsty was also the target of some sections of the international media who constantly tried to put her in a corner over Zimbabwe's political and economic situation.
Kirsty, however, handled it well and maintained her commitment to the cause of her motherland.
"Yes, I got a lot of questions on Zimbabwe but as Team Zimbabwe, we had gone to the Games to show the world out there that there are lot of good things about Zimbabwe.
"We are all really proud and I was able to go and support some of my teammates after my competitions," she said.
Minister Ndlovu said the Government would greatly treasure the efforts made by Team Zimbabwe and Kirsty in particular.
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"This is a momentous occasion and I thought that I should not sit in the office. I have come here personally to welcome the athletes home.
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