The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) is set to host an activation event this Saturday in Windhoek to celebrate athletes who have already qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, and to encourage those still working towards qualification.

The event, designed to promote the Olympic spirit, will take place at Wernhill Park.

As many athletes are still striving to secure their places in the prestigious games, deadlines are approaching for some sports to qualify through various international events.

NNOC's Secretary-General Joan Smit invites the community to meet these Olympian athletes this coming weekend in Windhoek, creating a unique chance for the Namibian public to connect with their sporting heroes.

Smit noted that currently, only two sports have qualified for the Olympics, Cycling and Swimming, but more qualifications are expected in the coming weeks.

She added that athletics has until the end of June to qualify.

The previous Olympics in 2020 saw over ten athletes from Namibia compete, with high expectations for this year's event.

"The purpose of the event is to create a platform for the Namibian public to meet and greet our elite athletes. This is an opportunity for our children and parents to meet the athletes in person. They usually see them in newspapers and on television, but this time, our athletes will be on the ground. Everyone who comes to the shopping mall on Saturday between 10:00 and 12:30 will be able to see and chat with them, and even take pictures with them," Smit said.

Smit also shared updates on the sports that have already qualified and those that are close to qualifying.

"Our Paris qualification update: Namibia has qualified Vera Adrian for Road Cycling and Saddler for Open Water Swimming. Most qualifications will take place between January and June of this year. Quin Riddig, our Archery athlete, is heading to Turkey to compete in the World Championships. Roman Vedennar, our Aquatics swimmer, is going to Singapore. Athletics has until the end of June to qualify, and marathon runners are qualifying this coming weekend in Durban. Our boxers will head to Bangkok for the final qualifier. In Cycling, we're keeping our fingers crossed for Mountain Bike, and our gymnastics team will head to Tunisia next month. Our Wrestling team-both female and male, will head to Turkey," she added.

The event will also include the French ambassador, adding an element of French culture to the occasion, which will enrich the athletes' experience.