by Ockert de Villiers
Johannesburg - South Africa will be in full force for the Rio Olympic Games following the announcement of the country’s largest team since readmission ahead of the sports carnival in the Brazilian city next month.
The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) on Thursday named a team of 137 athletes, two more than the team for Beijing in 2008.
The Olympic body has been more circumspect this time around in its medal predictions, with Sascoc chief executive and chef de mission Tubby Reddy setting a target of up to 10 medals.
“In terms of the agreement with the government, we are looking at eight medals but my president (Gideon Sam) has been saying 10 medals,” Reddy said.
“Looking at our assessments, we can get up to seven gold medals, but it would be very tough to get to that amount, and for me if we can get four gold out of 10 it would be a good result.”
Reddy’s predictions may be devoid of the bravado in 2012 when Sam prophesied 12, but returning with 10 would match the country’s best performance of all time from 1952 and 1920.
The team is largely without surprises, with the nation’s hopes pinned on the medallists from four years ago, while a few new prospects have emerged.
Teenage sprinter Clarence Munyai clasped his hands together and smiled as he saw his name on the list for the 39-strong athletics squad during the team announcement at Olympic House in Johannesburg.
Munyai and his training partner Gift Leotlela, who are both 18, will be the babies of the athletics team, which includes seasoned veterans Sunette Viljoen and Olympic silver medallist Khotso Mokoena.
Mokoena and Viljoen will participate in their fourth Games, joining an exclusive club which includes Olympic swimming champions Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling, distance runner Hendrik Ramaala and winter Olympian Alex Heath.
London Olympics gold medallists Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh and members of the “oarsome foursome” James Thompson and John Smith have all been included in the team.
Olympic silver medallist Caster Semenya has been in unbeatable form this season, and will be going into the quadrennial showpiece as the firm favourite in the 800m, while world 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk is considered a serious medal prospect.
Cynics may consider the target of 10 medals a grand prediction, but some of the country’s top athletes will be going into the Games as favourites in their events.
Ascending the podium in Rio will be the ultimate prize for the athletes, but Sascoc has also put up cash incentives of R500 000 for gold, R250 000 for silver and R100 000 for bronze medals.