Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TOP athlete Rutendo Nyahora has revealed that she contemplated suicide after failing to finish the women’s marathon at the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris.
The women’s marathon at the 2024 Olympics Games was considered one of the most challenging races in the history of the event.
Only 80 out of the 91 athletes, who started the race, managed to complete it.
Nyahora found herself struggling to keep up with the pace early in the race.
As the race progressed, Nyahora’s energy levels began to wane and she found it increasingly difficult to maintain her speed.
She was eventually forced to drop out of the race and it left her feeling devastated and defeated.
It was Nyahora’s second appearance at the Olympic Games after having previously represented the country at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
She said: “I almost killed myself as I was asking myself questions. I felt I embarrassed myself and the nation as well.
“Everything looked like drama and I experienced depression.
“I had to go for counselling and I was assisted.
“Over the years I have been representing my country worldwide but what happened in Paris shocked me.”
She still doesn’t know why she struggled on that big occasion.
“Going into the Olympics, I had high hopes and it was my second marathon.
“I had exposure to good coaches, good training regimes and I went to Paris injury-free.
“I had targets and we thought everything was set.
“But before the Olympics, I had an injury which healed, with the help of the ZOC. So, everything was okay.
“Even the day before the marathon, I was in fine condition, jogging with some Kenyans and the lady from Uganda, who passed away.
“But, on the day, I don’t know what happened, I just woke up with my body acting strangely and I thought, maybe, I was going to struggle for perhaps the first three kilometres of the race.
“But the more I kept going I felt dizzy.”
Nyahora was able to seek help and support from her coaches, teammates, and mental health professionals.
She eventually found the strength to move forward and continue pursuing her dreams.
“Now, I understand that whatever happened can’t be changed and I am now looking forward to the future.
“I told myself I needed to, at least, finish a marathon before year-end and I took part in the Soweto Marathon.
“It is the toughest marathon in South Africa and I am happy I performed well considering the short space of time I prepared for the marathon before I came back home for the NetOne Albun marathon.”