Moment of pride as Zimbabwe Special Olympics team ...

Moment of pride as Zimbabwe Special Olympics team meets President

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwe Special Olympics Team, riding on the wave of success after raising the country’s flag high at the Summer Olympics went to see President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who welcomed and congratulated them at State House last evening.

“Yesterday at State House, I had the honour of celebrating with our victorious Zimbabwe Special Olympics Team. Their outstanding performance in Berlin, earning two gold, two silver, and four bronze medals, fills our nation with immense pride. Congratulations, champions!” Mnangagwa wrote on X.

The team of twelve athletes participated in the 2023 Special Olympics Summer Games held in Berlin, Germany where threy bagged two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

President Mnangagwa appealed to the private sector and other stakeholders to partner with Special Olympics Zimbabwe in their quest to maintain the excellent podium performance on the national, regional and global stage.

“I look forward to bigger team and more medals coming from Team Zimbabwe Special Olympics at the next Special Olympics games which will be held in Sydney, Australia in 2027.

“I challenge the Sports and Recreation Commission as well as the Special Olympics board to start working now towards the next games. I assure you of my government’s support in this regard,” he said.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry said the athletes have been good sports ambassadors for the country and have inspired many aspiring athletes.

As a token of appreciation for their efforts, President Mnangagwa gave US$5 000 to gold medalists, US$3 700 to silver medalists, US$2 500 to bronze medalists and also to the coaching staff.