Zambia’s hopes for automatic qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the men’s and women’s relay teams were dashed after both teams finished fourth and seventh, respectively, in the qualifiers at the World Athletics Relay Championships in the Bahamas.
Competing at 02:00hrs Zambian time, both teams aimed to secure a top-two finish in their heats to secure a direct spot at the Olympic Games. However, they fell short of this target.
The men’s team put up a strong effort, finishing fourth in heat two behind Spain, Poland, and the Czech Republic, who recorded times of 3:02.39, 3:03.91, and 3:03.00 seconds, respectively. The Zambian team, comprised of Muzala Samukonga, David Mulenga, Kennedy Luchembe, and Patrick Nyambe, clocked a time of 3:03.18 seconds.
Despite this setback, there is still hope for the men’s team to qualify through a wildcard entry as the current fastest team globally. Zambia holds the record with a time of 2:59.01 seconds achieved at the African Games. If no team surpasses this record by June 30, the Zambian team will secure a spot in Paris.
In the women’s race, Rhoda Njobvu led the team, which included Middy Minglishi, Quincy Malekani, and Abygirl Sepiso, to a seventh-place finish in their heat with a time of 3:35.37 seconds.
Main Image: Mwebantu
