The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Athletes Commission hosted the fourth edition of the Athletes Indaba in Johannesburg on Saturday, with president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr Thomas Bach, and several other high-profile guests adding to the importance of the event.
Facilitated by chairperson of the Athletes’ Commission, 2008 Olympic silver medallist Khotso Mokoena, the Indaba covered a range of subjects, held in a dynamic environment at SASCOC headquarters, Olympic House, and drew discussions from a diverse gathering of panellists and audience.
Both the president of SASCOC, Barry Hendricks, and the CEO, Nozipho Jafta, acknowledged the presence and privilege of the visitors at the Indaba, and Hendricks spoke of the progress SASCOC has made in the last four years. “When the new Board took over we placed an emphasis on the athletes, past, current and future. Your role is critical to our success. We are totally committed and have structures in place to ensure that when you go to events you’re in the best shape to compete. Sponsors Bidvest, Mr Price Sport and Planet Fitness were in Paris and not only have re-committed to sponsorship, but have increased their funding, And we have also received funding from the National Lotteries Commission.”
The visit from the IOC president was called an “honour and a privilege”. Dr Bach engaged with the athletes, speaking to them and taking questions from the floor, answering them with passion and sincerity.
“I came from being an athlete. When I became IOC president I wanted to give athletes a voice and a vote and what has happened is heart-warming. The Games are athletes-centred Games, where they are organised around athletes. I wanted athletes to express themselves beyond the mere competition. We are all equal – the same rules apply to everyone. Athletes have the opportunity to live Olympic values and express themselves beyond mere competition,” Dr Bach told the SASCOC Athletes’ Commission.
Representing the Team SA athletes in the first discussion relating to Paris 2024 athletes’ experiences were medallists Bradley Nkoana (Olympic silver), Simone Kruger (Paralympic gold), Lucas Sithole (Paralympic bronze) and two-time Olympic gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz.
With a few months having elapsed since Paris 2024, this was a good time to reflect and all provided fascinating feedback. “I’m just a humble boy and I haven’t changed,” said one of the heroes of Team SA’s squad, Nkoane. “The silver medal (4x100m) is the start of my journey, but I’m still the same humble person I was before. I know my place and purpose in life and I’m still a human being with the same morals and surrounded by family and friends.”
Kruger, who claimed F38 discus gold with a new Paralympic record of 38.80m, said, “I’ve had the best year of my life. So much has happened, I’ve got so many memories. On the day God was with me. When I think back, it was only when I stood on the podium and heard the national anthem that it all sunk in.”
Sithole, one half of wheelchair tennis’ double act with Donald Ramphadi, who delivered Africa’s first wheelchair tennis medal, spoke about the moment he got to play on the clay courts of Roland Garros for the first time. “I loved the way we prepared. I don’t get many chances to play on clay and to win Africa’s first wheelchair tennis’ medal was awesome. That picture of me falling out of my chair when celebrating with Donald wasn’t because I was pushed – I wanted to celebrate on the ground!”
Rooskrantz, whose Paris competition was cut short when sustaining an injury, spoke about how big the Games were for gymnastics in South Africa. “Things happen for a reason,” she said of the injury, “but Tokyo and Paris have been massive for me and Gymnastics SA. To be flag-bearer with Akani (Simbine) is more than I could ever have dreamed of and I’m so proud of what I have achieved. This is only the beginning!”
Also on the programme and covered with great energy and enthusiasm were the subjects of female participation and young girls’ transition in sport, athlete brand management, national championships participation and athletes’ career transition.
Team SA returned from Paris 2024 with six Olympic medals and six Paralympic medals.
Photo: Frennie Shivambu