Capetonians got to see local Olympians and Paralympians up close on Monday, when the city honoured athletes who competed in Rio.
“Sport has long unified our nation, since the birth of our democracy, and as part of building an inclusive city, all members of the public are encouraged to join in with the festivities in a spirit of unity,” the city said.
Some of the big names attending included 400m Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk and Paralympic Hilton Langenhoven, who won gold in the T12 long-jump and silver in the T12 200m at Rio.
The celebration kicked off on the Grand Parade, where Premier Helen Zille and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille addressed the crowds. The athletes will then board a bus for a city centre victory procession.
Cape Town celebrates Olympains @IOL pic.twitter.com/stJqrnrcbA
— Cape Times (@CapeTimesSA) October 17, 2016
From 12.45 to 1.15pm, the bus will make its way to Green Point, via Darling, Adderley, Wale and Loop streets.
Crowd swarm @WaydeDreamer #CelebrateOlympians @IOL pic.twitter.com/TFXLUNP7sI
— Cape Times (@CapeTimesSA) October 17, 2016
Olympians gets the mother city going wild @IOL #CelebrateOlympians pic.twitter.com/PuxUIdvOO1
Between 1.15 and 2pm, Van Niekerk, Zille, De Lille and MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais will again address the crowds at the Green Point Athletics Track.
Independent Media