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seminar in the British capital, said the meeting was useful in terms of drawing a roadmap on the preparations for the Games.
The Games will run from July 27 to August 12 next year with participants competing in 26 sporting disciplines.

Chindove attended the chef de mission seminar in London from August 8 to 12, which was meant to help the chefs de mission understand their role in preparing for the Games and for the London Organising Committee to give a report on their state of preparedness ahead of the Games.
Chindove said the meeting went on well despite the riots that rocked the United Kingdom early this month.

“The seminar was attended by more than 400 participants from more than 200 countries. The objective of the meeting was two-fold.
“Firstly to assist chefs de mission to understand their role in preparing their team’s participation at the London Olympics in July 2012 and for the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) to present a progress report on the state of preparedness for the Games.

“The seminar went very well despite the initial concern on the back of the riots that took place during the time we were attending the seminar.
“While participants were not affected by the riots, it was natural that questions surrounding safety during the games were raised.
“LOGOC was able to put participants’ minds at rest by going through a detailed presentation on the measures that have been taken to ensure security during the games.

“The committee also acknowledged that last weeks events also enabled them to fine tune their existing plans to ensure the safety of all teams and also to ensure that the games proceed uninterrupted,” said Chindove.
The chef de mission said they also had the opportunity to visit the athletes’ village and some of the Games venues during the four-day seminar.

“All participants managed to visit the athletes’ village which will accommodate the athletes during the Games.
“A very positive feature of the village is that it is adjacent to many of the venues. The fact that it is within a few minutes walking distance makes for ease of logistical arrangements to get the athletes to their various competitions.

“Participants also visited some of the venues including the VeloPark for cycling and BMX, the Olympic Stadium, the Aquatics Centre swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and modern pentathlon and the new basketball stadium. All the facilities are state-of-the-art and will leave an excellent legacy in terms of advanced sports facilities.
“The interesting thing about the facilities is that in order to prevent them becoming white elephants after the Games, they have been constructed to a scale that will be relevant for use after the Games

and have been modified especially for the Olympic Games so that they have extra seating which can be dismantled,” said Chindove.
Some of the topics covered during the seminar were sport entries and qualifications, accommodation, technology, logistics, security, medical and anti-doping, ticketing and ceremonies. All tickets issued in the UK have already been sold out.

Zimbabwe have been allocated 1 200 tickets and the veteran administrator said those who would want to buy tickets for the Games will have to contact the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.
“Any Zimbabweans who would like to buy tickets for the Olympic Games next year need to contact the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee for details.
“Only 1200 tickets were issued for Zimbabwe and they are being sold on a first come first serve basis.
“The seminar was very useful in terms of drawing the roadmap for what needs to be done between now and July next year,” said Chindove.

She said every Zimbabwean has a role to play in supporting the team for next year’s Games so that they do their level best in London.
“My hope is that all Zimbabweans will rally behind Team Zimbabwe for the London Olympic Games so that the athletes perform to the best of their abilities and make our nation proud.

“All Zimbabweans have a role to play in this regard and we look forward to their support.
“We will be looking to Government and the corporate sector to assist financially so that we have a thoroughly prepared and motivated team.
“Expenses that will be incurred by the athletes relate to preparation, travel, accommodation and the team kit,” added Chindove.

ZOC are hoping to have a provisional team by December 31 with eight athletes on scholarships targeted to qualify for the Games.
The eight are swimming sensation, Kirsty Coventry, Ngonidzashe Makusha, Brian Dzingai, Anthony Hobwana, Malvin Bonde and Cuthbert Nyasango (athletics) and Takanyi Garanganga and Mbonisi Ndimande (tennis).

Chindove said the All-Africa Games set for Maputo, Mozambique from September 3 to 18 presents some of the targeted athletes with an opportunity to compete in one of the most competitive events in the continent before the next year’s Olympic Games.

“I am also excited at the prospect of the forthcoming All Africa Games as it will give the athletes whom we think may form part of Team Zimbabwe for the Olympic Games a chance to compete at the highest level at continental level,” Chindove said.

Chindove’s appointment was made last year in September after she successfully led the country in the same capacity at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore.
The veteran administrator said it was an honour to lead the country to such a big event.

“I was delighted and humbled to be appointed chef de mission for Team Zimbabwe for London Olympics in July 2012.

“As a long time sports administrator I have worked as a volunteer for many years to contribute towards sports development in our country, but in all my efforts over the years, I never dreamt that I would lead a national team to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
“I am truly grateful to all those involved in the appointment and for entrusting me with such an assignment.

“I am really thrilled and motivated to give the task on hand the best,” said Chindove.
Chindove becomes the first woman to lead Zimbabwe at the Games since the country was readmitted into the International Olympic Committee after the attainment of independence.