9 August 2008
Arusha — The Minister for Information, Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika, is leading Tanzania's Olympic squad to Beijing, which left Dar es Salaam on August 4 with a contingent comprising eight runners and two swimmers.
The runners are marathoners Samson Ramadhani, Msenduki Mohamed and Getul Bayo. Others are Samuel Kwaang, Fabian Joseph and Dickson Marwa who will feature in 10,000 metres, Samuel Mwera (8000 metres) and the only lady athlete Zakia Mrisho (5,000 metres).
The swimmers are Magdalena Mushi and Rushaka Khalid who will feature in the 50 metres free style.They will be accompanied by athletics coach Juma Ikangaa
The runners have been training in Arusha by the assistant coach Zakaria Barie
The national athletics team left for Beijing with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the sponsorship of Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Ning.
AT had preferred the use of Li Ning equipment but the TOC ruled that the team would use those provided by German sportswear manufacturers Puma.
Tanzania has won only two Olympic silver medals since she started taking part in the Games.
The medals were won by Filbert Bayi in 3,000 metres steeplechase and Nyambui in 5,000 metres at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia.
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