OLYMPIAN Cutbert Nyasango has expressed his interest to represent the country at the next Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. The long-distance runner made his debut appearance in a marathon race at the multi-sport event last year in London where he surprised many when he finished a credible seventh in a personal best time of 2 hours 12 minutes 08 seconds, becoming the first Zimbabwean to finish way inside the top 10 in the history of the Olympic Games.

His fellow countryman Wirimai Juwawo managed position 15 in 2 hours 14 minutes 09 seconds.

Nyasango, who is currently preparing for the 2013 season, said he hopes to keep on working hard and ensuring that he remains in shape for Rio 2016.

"For now I will continue running in marathon races, training hard and try not to burn out before 2016. At the moment I generally do not have any programme in place. We are using the same programme we were using before. I don't run too many marathon events per year," said Nyasango.

Nyasango said he has begun preparations for this year's competitions and is working on his own as he prepares for this season's competitions.

"I am just training but I have not planned anything so far. If any races come up I will take part.

"The season begins around April and it depends on the type of race and the condition I will be in, if I am in good condition I will compete.

"After the London Olympics I have not heard anything from the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee about Rio 2016.

"I am working on my own at the moment, maybe something will happen along the way," said Nyasango.

His colleague Juwawo said he would start competing next month by taking part in the cross-country events starting at provincial level and then the national championships scheduled for March.

"I haven't received the schedule from the managers so I would only know in February when we start competitions with the cross-country. So far I know that I want to take part in the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa in March," said Juwawo.

Juwawo said he hopes to make it into Team Zimbabwe for the next Olympics but said it is still early to talk about Rio 2016.