Gov’t snubs IOC wild cards

RWANDA has snubbed wild cards allocated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for athletes ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Minister Joseph Habineza said mid this week that athletes without minimum qualifications will not represent the country in London. “No athlete should dream of representing the country via a wildcard. They must bit the minimum qualifications,” Habineza said. He also promised to offer financial assistance to athletes through their respective federations so as to avail athletes with adequate preparations for the Games. Rwanda had four athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Pamela Girimbabazi and Jackson Niyomugabo represent Rwanda in the swimming while Dieudonne Disi and Epiphanie Nyirabarame carried the country’s flag on the track. In a related development, IOC has allocated four wildcard slots to Rwanda for the 2010 inaugural Youth Olympic Games which will run from August 14-26 in Singapore. The slots are in the categories of boxing, athletics and swimming. However, Rwanda has a chance to fielding a bigger number provided the athletes beat the minimum qualifications. Ends

Lifestyle

Gov’t snubs IOC wild cards