Zimeye
By Clement Moyo
4 August 2012
Zimbabwe’s “Golden†girl Kirsty Coventry has ended her quest for a medal in the 2012 Olympics as she finished sixth in the 200 meter backstroke finals in London, Friday.
Kirsty Coventry, the 2008 Beijing Olympic defending champion, and two-time Gold Medalist, had re-ignited the nation’s hopes for a medal in swimming events when she qualified for the 200 meter backstroke finals the previous day.
However those hopes were dashed Friday in a pulsating swimming final won by American swimmer Missy Franklin who got it with a world-record time.
A medal-less but gracious Kirsty thanked all who supported her in her quest to repeat the Beijing medal haul.
“Thanks to all my supporters, you have stood by me for such a long time and I feel so blessed having all of you in my corner,†wrote Kirsty on the twitter website.
Kirsty competed in three events, Women’s 100m Backstroke, Women’s 200m Backstroke, Women’s 200m Individual Medley.
On Tuesday, Kirsty finished sixth in the final of the 200m individual medley, a few days after finishing seventh in the 100m backstroke semis’ and missing out on the final.
Odds were against Kirsty who overcame a dislocated knee and pneumonia prior to the games.
Yes, it was near yet so far for Kirsty.
All hopes for medals now rest with remaining seven Olypmic team members, triathlete Chris Felgate, Rower Jamie Fraser McKenzie and the marathon trio of Cuthbert Nyasango, Wirimayi Zhuwao and Sharon Tawengwa.
Education and Sports minister David Coltart later commented: “I am very proud of all our athletes who have performed so well this week. But especially Kirsty for making us so proud in so many ways.â€