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Athletes taking part in Olympic Games will not be forced to be vaccinated: Sascoc

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The South African Sports, Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) says athletes who will take part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games this year will not be forced to be vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to going to Japan.

It says, however, government’s COVID-19 task team has already provided funding for all those who will be vaccinated.

Sascoc President Barry Hendricks says, “They had already paid for the vaccination of team South Africa, the whole of the team South Africa, and extra vaccinations as well as being committed by the South African government. So we will be working with the COVID-19 and the Minister to get this done. And yes there must be cases where we want the athletes vaccinated in phase two or phase three. But that we have negotiations discussed with the relevant authorities.”

Van Niekerk

Team South Africa says Olympic 400m champion and world record holder Wayde van Niekerk is off to the United States where he will step up his preparations ahead of defending his title in Tokyo later this year.

The 28-year-old continued his comeback from a serious knee injury suffered in 2017 by coming through a number of low-key events, both in South Africa and internationally, unscathed.

He has decided to amicably part ways with long-time coach ‘Tannie’ Ans Botha and head to the USA.

Van Niekerk will sharpen up for the Games under renowned sprint mentor Lance Brauman, who is an official Adidas coach.

Surfing

World-class surfer, Jordy Smith will be representing South Africa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Surfing will debut at the Olympics in Tokyo, making the 31-year-old former Glenwood High School pupil the first South African surfer to qualify for the Olympics.

SABC News’ Craig Maree reports on Smith’s participation:

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