Carlie Makarawu Qualifies for the 2024 Paris Olympics
Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 200m after running a 19.93 on Friday, April 26 at the Corky/Crofoot Shootout in Lubbock, Texas.
The 200m race was the final shot for Makarawu to qualify for the Olympics before the NJCAA DI Men's Track & Field Championships on May 16-18.
The entire meet was bumped late into the night as organizers hoped the wind would die down enough for Olympic wind legal times (under 2.0) to be posted.
Makarawu was coming off a frustrating week where he felt he underperformed in the 200m at Baylor.
"Coach (Tabarie) Henry told me to go light in the weight room, but I did not listen and went heavy. So, after the race I was overwhelmed and frustrated with my performance."
Originally Makarawu was slated to run the 400m at Texas Tech. He then decided to take a few days off to refocus. After some thought, Makarawu came to the realization that he wanted to try and run the 100m and 200m in Lubbock.
The 100m race started just after 9 p.m. CDT at the Terry & Linda Fuller T&F Complex on the campus of Texas Tech. Makarawu mentioned that his plan was to use the 100m dash as a warmup for his 200m run later in the night.
The warmup "run" was anything but a warmup. The start left much to be desired when he got off the blocks late, however he made up for the slow start quickly.
"The starter was a bit slow, and I flinched on the blocks when I was trying to settle and then the gun went off," Makarawu said. "I was the last one to get off the blocks, so I had to catch up."
The Harare, Zimbabwe native breezed through the finish line with ease running a 10.02 to break his 100m school record by .03 seconds. The time is No. 1 in the NJCAA.
There was a two hour wait between the 100m and 200m. Makarawu would take to the track for the final time before nationals at just after 11 p.m. CDT. The wind had finally died down to where Carlie would have a shot at breaking the 20.16 Olympic standard.
"The goal for me going into Tech was I just wanted to qualify for the Olympics. I wanted to take that pressure off me so I could focus on nationals in May."
"The start with the 200m was good. I was much more relaxed. Halfway through the race I knew I was going to qualify," Makarawu said. "I usually side-eye my opponents to see where they were at and I did not see anyone this time so I knew I was fast. I knew I was going to get it but the 19.93 was a surprise to me."
The 19.93 time is the Zimbabwe 200m national record, the NMJC school record by .05 seconds, No. 1 in the NJCAA this season, No. 3 in the NJCAA all-time, and No. 4 in the world for the 2024 outdoor season.
Makarawu went through a variety of emotions when he saw the time on board and found out his finish met the Olympic qualifying standard.
"I was so happy to see the 19.93 time. I went on my knees after the race, and I thanked God for everything."
Makarawu, like many others, has dreamed of having the opportunity to make the Olympics and fortunately he's had the right coaches helping him along the way.
"It has been my dream since I started running to make the Olympics," Makarawu said. "My coach back in Zimbabwe Cutbert Nyasango ran in the Olympics in the marathon. My coaches at NMJC Tabarie Henry and Gino Hall were Olympians. All I wanted to do was be just like them. I said to myself all my coaches went to the Olympics. I can be like them."
NMJC sprints coach Tabarie Henry was a little concerned about the late start time for the 200m race.
"Initially I was worried about the weather as it was getting cooler later in the night and I wanted to make sure to protect Carlie from injury," Coach Henry said. "After some thought we decided to give it a go. I was in the infield when he came around the turn. He set the race up beautifully and in his last 50m he put it in third gear and finished it strong. When the time came up and it was wind legal, I was ecstatic for Carlie because he works hard every day."
Henry is a two-time Olympian at 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. This will be his first athlete he has coached to reach the Olympic level.
"It's special as an Olympian myself to coach my first Olympian in Carlie," Henry said. "Our meets have been too windy this season and this meet was our last shot. It's every coaches dream to have an athlete make the Olympics and Carlie was able to get it done."
The response from friends, family, and the country of Zimbabwe had Makarawu's phone buzzing off the hook.
"The next morning, I could not open my phone," Makarawu said. "Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp were all full of messages saying congratulations. The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee was also so excited for me to qualify."
Makarawu credits his exponential success to the training and facilities he has access to as a student-athlete at New Mexico Junior College.
"The training facilities here at New Mexico Junior College are so good," Makarawu said. "Back in Zimbabwe I did not have any access to a proper weight room. The track that I was practicing at was gravel and full of stones. The only time I was able to perform on a good track was in competition."
Prior to NMJC, he even had to deal with makeshift brick weights to get in a workout.
"My coach used to make weights out of bricks so I could work out my biceps because I did not have any dumbbells," Makarawu said. "When I came to NMJC everything changed. I had to start from scratch and learn how to workout and train. I am getting better each day. I tried to go DI before I got here but I think God had a different plan for me and it has worked out well in junior college."
The 2024 Paris Olympics is an opportunity for Makarawu to make a name for himself on the national stage. The recognition that comes with being an Olympian will also give Carlie a chance to make a difference back home in Zimbabwe.
"Going to the Olympics is a great opportunity for me to be a role model to others," Makarawu said. "I want to make a difference in my country. If I get the chance, I want to create an indoor training facility in Zimbabwe to give back to my people."
The 2024 Paris Olympics will take place July 24 – Aug. 11. The opening ceremonies are on July 26. Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu will start racing in the 200m on Aug. 5 with the hope of making the 200m finals on Aug. 8.