By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The Paris 2024 Olympic Games squad is safe and sound in Paris, France ahead of the official opening of the game tonight (Friday, July 26, 2024).
The team arrived yesterday (Thursday, July 25, 2024) in France, having left the country on Wednesday. The squad comprises of three athletes and four officials. The athletes are swimmers Hayley Hoy, Chadd Ning and sprinter Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa.
The Chef De Mission of the squad is Athletics Eswatini (AE) President and EOCGA Vice-President Zakhele Dlamini while the General Manager is Thoba Mazibuko. The team Psychologist is Lungi Khanya and Physiotherapist is Charmain Rudd.
Eswatini Olympics and Commonwealth Games (EOCGA) confirmed the safe arrival of the squad in Paris, France where the game would be held from today (July 26) to August 11, with over 10 000 athletes from all over the world participating.
“With less than 24 hours before the opening ceremony, our athletes have arrived and they are already acclimatising themselves. Unleashing the Spirit of Competition: The Final Countdown to Olympic Greatness Begins,” wrote EOCGA.
The athletes got down to business upon arrival as they trained in the luxurious facilitates provide by France.
During the opening ceremony, team Eswatini Flag Bearers will be Hayley Hoy and Chadd Ning, while ‘Swazi Bolt’ will take charge in the closing ceremony.
The local squad is set t be part of history as for the first time; the opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium. Instead, athletes will arrive via boat and cruise down the Seine River, passing by historic Paris landmarks, including the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral and the Louvre.
