Africa Races for Olympic Qualification

African nations line up over the next three days in Tunisia’s capital of Tunis aiming to qualify for the Athens Olympics at the FISA Olympic Continental Qualification Regatta for Africa. A total of six spots are up for grabs ? four in the men’s single and two in the women’s single.

Ibtissem Trimech of Tunisia
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Pre-race favourites in the men’s single include two-time Olympian Ibrahim Aly of Egypt who has spent much of the last couple of years competing as a sweep rower in Egypt’s eight. Ibrahim Aly is likely to be challenged by Ibrahim Githaiga of Kenya. Githaiga has been rowing since 1997 and is aiming for his first Olympic Games. Despite Githaiga’s relatively short time rowing he has been called a natural boat mover and at 35 years old Githaiga comes from a sporting background predominantly in field hockey. If Githaiga is successful at this regatta he will become the first Kenyan to row at the Olympic Games.

In the women’s single the most experienced competitor Ibtissem Trimech of Tunisia will have the home crowd advantage. Trimech made sporting history last year when she won the first international medal for her country in rowing at the Munich World Cup. Trimech, at 5 foot 6 inches, usually races as a lightweight rower but must race in the open event to secure an Olympic spot.

At 22 years old Trimech has already competed at the Sydney Olympics and with four years more experience behind her Trimech will be raising the standards.

Eight countries are competing at the regatta including first-timers Kenya, Senegal, Cameroon and Nigeria. Also competing are Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

The regatta starts on April 23rd and runs until the 25th and the weather is forecasted to be cloudy with possible thunder and temperatures reaching the upper teens Celsius.