Madagascar to send seven athletes to London Olympics

Alexandru Bratan from Madagascar prepares to make the second stage of his lift during the Men’s 105kg Group A final at the Weightlifting Hall at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece

Antananarivo (Madagascar) - Seven athletes will represent Madagascar at the London Olympics, official from the island country’s Olympic Committee has said.

The president of Madagascar’s Olympic Committee, Siteny Andriasoloniaiko, told Xinhua in an interview on Wednesday that Madagascar will participate in five disciplines – judo, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming and athletics.

“Only three of these Malagasy athletes – Soloniaina Josiane Patricia in women’s wrestling, Fetra Ratsimiziva in men’s judo and Nathalia Rakotondramanana in women’s weightlifting – qualified for the Games,” Andriasoloniaiko said.

However, Siteny Andriasoloniaiko said that Madagascar received two wild cards in swimming and two other wild cards in the athletics.

Andriasoloniaiko said that the delegation will leave Madagascar for London July 24.

It is the 12th time Madagascar is going to the Olympics.