The South African Youth Olympics team received a warm welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport following a successful showing at the 2018 games in Buenos Aires in Argentina. The team bagged five medals, four better than the previous edition in Nanjing China.
In his message to the athletes, Deputy Minister of Sports and Recreation, Gert Oosthuizen, praised them on their achievements.
There was no medal target set for this team at the games prior to the two week competition.
However, their success is measured by surpassing the medal count from China four years ago. There were some outstanding performances from team South Africa that will boost the athlete’s confidence for upcoming tournaments.
The medals won suggest that reaching Tokyo 2020 is a target.
“It was a surprise. I was not expecting to win. I just went out to run and I came with perfect results for my country. It’s just really an honour for me especially representing my country in the green and gold it means the world to me,” says Youth Olympics Gold Medalist Luke Davids.
Silver medalist Dune Coetzee says, “This was a really amazing experience because we got to race against the best in the world. I think it definitely counts for the big stage. We will have more experience and know how it is to race against big people and not get scared when we get onto the big stage. So, I think that this was definitely one of the best experiences I have ever had.”
The hope is that these athletes will progress to senior level and represent the country at the Olympics.
“At the beginning of the tournament I explained to you guys that in Nanjing we only reached one medal. Now, we have exceeded ourselves and I hope you continue where you left off. You are going into the senior ranks of over 18. Now, do what you do best; compete as best as you can and understand that you are not only doing it for yourself, but for your country,” says Chef De Mission Clifford Cover.
The games came to a close on Thursday and will next be held in Senegal in 2022, which will be the first time the event is hosted in Africa.
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