Maria Diamond, head coach of the Diamond Elite Club, has been named the official coach for the Mozambican athletics team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
This prestigious appointment highlights her exceptional track record and contributions to the sport.
Diamond’s accolades include the GSports Awards for volunteer of the year (2017), the Ekurhuleni Presidential Awards (2018), the Vita Basadi Awards as woman of honor (2022), and a runner-up position for the Unsung Legend Award.
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Her achievements are a testament to her dedication and skill in athletics coaching.
Recently, Diamond was part of the technical team that guided the Mozambican squad during the African Games in Cameroon from July 22 to 26.
Reflecting on her experience, Diamond noted, “It is an honour to be a part of the Mozambican team.
“This recognition shows that our efforts and accomplishments are being acknowledged.”
During the games, Diamond encountered both challenges and highlights.
“I met emerging African stars like Joseph Funbullah from Liberia. The competition was somewhat disorganised, with starters still using boards instead of modern rifles. The accommodations and traffic were subpar, though the food was excellent,” she added.
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Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics, Diamond expressed confidence in her team’s potential.
“The training sessions are tailored to the specific needs of Olympic athletes. As an ASA Level 3 qualification holder, my goal is to prepare athletes for the pinnacle of competition.
“New training methods and symposiums help us stay updated, but achieving personal bests is more valuable than gold medals,” she explained.
Diamond also acknowledged the challenges of international travel, including jet lag, weather, and environmental factors that can impact performance.
“The Paris experience will set a benchmark for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics,” she said.
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The Mozambican squad includes King Edward High VII’s Steven Sabino, who recently set two national records.
Sabino broke the 100m record with a time of 10.35 seconds at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix III on March 27 and shattered the long jump record with a distance of 7.61m at the SA High School and LSEN National Track and Field Championships on April 4.
“Diamond has mentored Sabino since he was 11 years old. “His training and performance have improved each year,” she said.
“We are also preparing for the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, following the Paris competitions.”
