This is a debate that has gripped Zimbabweans since Coventry, 25, clinched gold in the 200m backstroke last Saturday – her fourth medal at the Beijing Olympics after winning three silvers in the 200m and 400m individual medley and the 100m backstroke.

When she returned home from the Athens Olympics in 2004, Coventry received a stirring welcome with hundreds of people descending on the Harare International Airport for a glimpse of the athlete described by President Mugabe as the “golden girl”.

Olympic athletes are not paid to compete – most get paid through private sponsorship deals structured to reward a certain level of excellence, and the type of medals won.

Perhaps in recognition of that, Mugabe gave Coventry US$50 000, which he said was “pocket money”. To show the country’s appreciation, he handed Coventry a diplomatic passport, making her probably the only non-political actor to have that honour.

In Athens, Coventry had won three medals – a gold, a silver and a bronze.

Without doubt, her latest heroics in Beijing have put Athens in the shade. The politicians and sports administrators will soon have a decision to make on how to celebrate Coventry’s success – and Zimbabweans around the world, with a bit of colour and flourish, are adding their voices to the debate.

We asked our readers on the New Zimbabwe.com Forums what they think is the perfect honour for the “golden girl”.

From the small gesture of naming a road after her to the rather widely ambitious calls for Kirsty for President – Zimbabweans are united that the country has a huge debt to pay the swimmer whose unstinting loyalty to the country of her birth, despite political and economic uncertainty, has baffled some western journalists.

“Zimbabwe must create statues of Kristy Coventry and erect them next to statues of Mbuya Nehanda,” wrote one Wales, drawing parallels between Coventry and the heroine of the early struggle against white rule. “At the foot of the statue, they must write: ‘Don’t ask what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.’ Every Zimbabwe must approach every task in front of them with the spirit of Kirsty Coventry and do it for country. Coventry is a bright light that shines in Zimbabwe at its darkest moments.”

At a time when black and white relations in the country have suffered as a result of the government’s seizure of white owned farms, many contributors tongue-in-cheek would like to see her allocated a farm. For good measure, suggested Madawu, she should get a farm next to the self-styled leader of the farm invasions, Joseph Chinotimba.

“Then of course the Gala,” Madawu adds, taking a pot shot at one of the Mugabe government’s propaganda-dressed-as-entertainment initiatives. “The Kirsty Coventry 100% Total Empowerment Gala at State House. Full bar and catering! Generator in place (in case of a power cut).”

Much of the suggested ways to honour Coventry are put across with sly humour – a novel Zimbabwean condition of adapting to the harsh economic and political climate which has cast the country as a worldwide pariah.

“Big ceremony lasting a full day when she returns,” writes Chibwe. “A 4x4 vehicle and fuel allocation for the next four years, driver and bodyguard supplied by the State. A book written about her story and used as a textbook at the Border Gezi youth training centres (read Zanu PF militia training centres).”

“The best way to honour her,” says Auyauya, “is to celebrate her birthday on September 16 with her every year. We could host our annual sports awards on or around that date, and name the awards The Kirsty Leigh Coventry Sports Awards.”

Many would like to see national structures like stadiums and important buildings named after Coventry. Renaming the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex – the country’s only world-class swimming arena -- is also a popular move.

But with the country’s economy at its knees and a political crisis at breakpoint, some Zimbabweans point out that honouring Coventry without healing the wider national sickness would be the worst disservice to her.

“At the last Olympic Games, she said: ‘I hope this medal reunites my country.’ The best we can do to honour her dream is to unite and rebuild our country,” observes Edwin. “It is always sad when something good like this goes unnoticed because of all the meaningless suffering going on at home. We are a great people, but all this good is of no use if our home is burning. Our politicians have been very good at destroying the spirits of sportspersons. They are humans and will get to a point were they ask themselves "ndinofireyi". I hope they don't destroy this one.”

However, not everyone is onboard with the stampeding masses keen to honour a national heroine.

A contributor calling himself EvilTwin thinks it’s all madness. “So all this madness,” he asks, “just because someone splashed about in a pool quicker than some other woman?”

Warming to his theme, he adds: “We have people starving and people trying to get ahead and survive in Zimbabwe. The economy is on the very precipice and we have crucial political talks that will decide our fate as Zimbabweans. A true Pan African will simply congratulate you, smile politely, and then go back to debating issues of true importance and relevance to his people.”

While many would find it difficult to find fault with EvilTwin’s argument, to many Zimbabweans, the Kirsty Coventry phenomenon is something to be part of not least because it is the single biggest achievement by any Zimbabwean on the international stage by a long stretch.

In a divided land torn by crises, Coventry is a rare uniting figure whose influence and appeal has gone beyond the swimming pool. For many, she is the leading star that promises hope for a brighter tomorrow – like the Biblical star that led the Three Wise Men to the site of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.

Here are some of your suggested ways to honour Kirsty:

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POST BY Ecitizen:

I say an Academy be named in her honour. There's a world class swimming centre in Chitungwiza that is underutilised. The corporate world can harness her success by building an academy in her honour at this place and probably build another, say in Bulawayo. They should then get world class trainers, admin, to work at these so that some measure of swimming success can be achieved from these centres. Black kids can start by conquering African pools then take on the world.
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POST BY Mufundisi:

Think fast folks, she is back in Zimbabwe next Tuesday afternoon. Maybe we need to rename Enterprise Road in Harare to Kirsty Coventry Road since it’s the road she grew up on; or rename Highlands School where she was discovered.
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POST BY Zerohour:

Kirsty for vice president or ambassador!
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POST BY InnocentM:

It is unfortunate we do not have a functioning government in Zimbabwe. Maybe to give her a free hotel and fuel vouchers for a year!
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POST BY Kufandaba:

Maybe Zanu PF should reflect on its stance of vicious anti-white racism on the one hand and fawning pleasure in Kirsty's feat on the other hand.
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POST BY Youngman:

Name a street in Harare after her. That's the best thing we can do!
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POST BY Ban2:

1. Homecoming celebrations on her arrival back in Zimbabwe.

2. A national holiday in her honour.

3. A major Harare avenue renamed in her honour.

4. A sports or swimming academy named in her honour.

5. An honorary doctorate from the University of Zimbabwe.

6. An expenses paid holiday to a destination of her choice with her family.

7. Education assistance (some extra pocket money).
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POST BY Girri:

Make her a Minister of Sports, and Culture or Minister of Farm Invasions!
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POST BY Jchibvoz:

1. Name a school after her.

2. A street in every major town after her just like Robert Mugabe has a street named after him in every town.

3. When our currency stabilises, we should put her on a coin or note.
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POST BY Marikos:

I would build a monument in her honour to acknowledge her achievements as an Olympian. What other stage surpasses the Olympics? SHE BEAT THE BEST THERE IS TO BEAT!
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POST BY Salbee:

Why don't we ask Kirsty, what she would like to see happen in Zimbabwe?
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POST BY Nygent:

Kirsty Coventry Scholarships. Naming pools and roads does not have a continuing effect, or effort.
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POST BY Icecream:

Why don't you think about how Zimbabwe should honour Jairosi Jiri , Mukadota, Grace Kwinjeh, whose buttocks are still red (from police beatings), etc? It makes me wonder what this fuss is all about. She's just a swimmer. Day and night people in Zimbabwe are fighting for your freedom and you don’t dare to appreciate them. You don't think. Uncolonise yourselves!
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POST BY Adieu:

Kirsty should be buried at the National Heroes Acre.
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POST BY Thethinkingman:

So you think we need to kill her?
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POST BY KATLEGO:

Let’s not embarrass her by naming her after a facility which will be dysfunctional because of Zanu PF bundling and incompetence. Revoking her Zimbabwean citizenship and letting her compete under the country of her ancestors is the best gift we can give her!
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POST BY Jertho:

I think the fact that she is representing Zimbabwe is enough because there are so many athletes who have done a lot for our country, who have not received any special honours.
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POST BY TMadawu:

Give her a farm. Name a Street and a pool after her. Have a Kisty Coventry Gala the day she touches down at Harare International Airport.

ITONDEI TIONE PROMOTIONS PRESENTS:
The Kirsty Coventry Swimming Sensation 100% Empowerment Gala.
Date: Wednesday, August 21
Time: 6pm – pungwe.
Venue: State House
Lots of parking space, Tight Security provided by ZNA
Lots of Braai + farm prizes!
Be there or be square! Generator rinenge riri tii!!!
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