SA ATHLETES SHINE BRIGHT IN KENYA

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME: Winning nine medals good start in preparing for next Olympics

By Molefi Mika

South Africa’s gold medal winning quartet which set a new world record time of 38.52sec in the men’s 4x100m relay event during the World Athletics U20 Championships, did that to signal to be part of the next Olympics.

This is an observation made by James Moloi, Athletics South Africa’s (ASA) president, after their team’s unexpected yet commendable feat at the championships staged in Kenya last week. Our sprinting foursome comprised Benjamin Richardson (17), Mihlali Xhotyeni, Sinesipho Dambile and Letlhogonolo Moleyane.

All together Mzansi scooped nine medals in Kenya: Gold medals – 4x100m relay, Mine de Klerk in women’s shot put, Mirè Reinstorf women’s pole vault; Silver medals – Richardson men’s100m dash, De Klerk women’s discus; Bronze medals – Kyle Rademeyer men’s pole vault, Dambile 200m sprint, Matthys Nortje men’s 400m, Dane Roets wome’s shot put.

Speaking to Weekly SA Mirror, shortly after their return back home, Moloi said: “We had sent out a team of young athletes whom most are still 17-years-old and we’re proud of what they did out there.

“We expect these athletes to be in the next Olympics starting with the U20 Championships due for Colombia next year. Benjamin also won us a silver medal in the 100m sprint final. We are over the moon with the whole performance of the team. Coming from the background of tough and disrupted preparation programmes and competitions, we are beyond words to describe this achievement.”

The ASA president, however, bemoaned a lack of funds to realise their dreams though.

“If we do not get funding to help these athletes, we will be in trouble. We will engage the minister to help us prepare them and to keep them in the system. I see two to three Olympic Games in these athletes. We have to come up with a plan and monitor their progress,” Moloi said. – additional reporting by headtopics.com