Team SA's Olympic performance under scrutiny

Roland Schoeman shows off his three medals

It took last night's two silver medalist's to save face for Team South Africa and the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa). Six medals - only a marginal improvement on 1996 and 2000.

Team South Africa ended the Olympic Games the way they started it. Two silver medals on the track and field compares favourably to the Swimming team's golden exploits in the 4 by 100 freestyle relay. But in essence the total number of medals won is only one better than the team's achievements in Atlanta and Sydney.

One athlete, Roland Schoeman, snapped up three of the six. So where does this leave Team South Africa? It's Nocsa's responsibility and they have to take a long hard look at the four year period leading up to the Games.

Take nothing away from the athletes though. They gave their best and were rewarded. Like Hestrie Cloete who won silver edged out by Russian Yelena Slesorenko who was just better on the night. Mbulaeni Mulaudzi who despite a wall of athletes blocking his way, squeezed past to win silver behind another Russian, Yuriy Borzakovski.

But as 2004 draws to a close, once again, Nocsa will go back home with more questions than answers. Those answers could come from Sam Ramsamy, Nocsa's outgoing president. Attempts to get his comment on South Africa's performances at the 28th Olympiad have been unsuccessful.

The final event of the Olympics under way, the 42.195kms, finishing in the Panathinaiko stadium tonight. Three South African runners are in the race and are strong contenders.