By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – Sprinter Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa could earn E1 million if he brings home the gold medal in the 100m from the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.
Matsenjwa is the only athlete remaining to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics Games after the exit of swimmers Hayley Hoy and Chadd Ning. He will take centre stage on Saturday in the 100m preliminary round.
According to the worldathletics.org, the World Athletics announced it would reward each of the gold medallists in Paris with US$50 000. The International Olympic Committee does not offer prize money to athletes in any sport in the Olympics.
Matsenjwa reached the semi-finals of the Olympics in 2021 during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games in 200m, setting the national record.
He reached the Paris 2024 Olympics Games through the universality places that are designed to increase the diversity and gender balance of participating nations across the sports programme of the Olympic Games.
Matsenjwa will be on track with the best time of the national record of 10:22 seconds while the world record that is likely to be broken stands at 9:58 seconds by former Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
The Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) athlete will be up against athletes who clocked less than 10 seconds in the 100m. They include Noah Lyles, Jamaican newcomer Kishane Thompson, Kenny Bednarek, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and South Africa’s Akani Simbine among others.
Matsenjwa before departure said he was ready for the challenge ahead of him and want to leave a good record as he will be competing in his last Olympics Games at he 36-years-old now.
The next Olympics Games will be held after four years, Los Angels 2028 Olympics Games and he would be about 40-years by that time.
