Tanzanian athletes at the Beijing opening ceremony

The Minister for Information, Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika led Tanzania’s Olympic squad to Beijing. The team comprised eight runners and two swimmers, including marathon runners Samson Ramadhani, Msenduki Mohamed and Getul Bayo. Samuel Kwaang, Fabian Joseph and Dickson Marwa were due to compete in the 10,000 metres, Samuel Mwera in the 800 metres, and the only lady athlete, Zakia Mrisho, in the 5,000 metres. The swimmers were Magdalena Mushi and Rushaka Khalid who featured in the 50 metres free style.

The national athletics team left for Beijing with some uncertainty hanging over the sponsorship of Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Ning. AT had preferred the use of Li Ning equipment but the Olympic Committee ruled that the team should use those provided by German sportswear manufacturers Puma. This issue of TA goes to the press before the running events have taken place.

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.