South Africans to join country's top athletes to celebrate Olympic Day

SASCOC have held an Olympic Day event attended by athletes and local residents ©SASCOC

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) are due to hold an event today to mark Olympic Day, where athletes about to set off for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa and the All-African Games in Congo will join local citizens to celebrate the values of Olympism.

Due to be staged at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, the celebrations are expected to be attended by Olympic, world and European swimming champion Chad le Clos, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games judo bronze medallist Siyabulela Mabulu and members of the London 2012 South African women’s football team.

They will take part in walks, various other sporting activities and doping prevention and nutrition workshops.

As well as the activities, the athletes members of the public will have the opportunity to quiz the stars on their careers.

“With the Olympic Movement having adopted Olympic Agenda 2020, the importance of Olympic Day and the celebration thereof, becomes significant,” SASCOC President Gideon Sam said.

“Young people being exposed to Olympism, get a better understanding of what the Olympics is all about.

“They soon learn that it is not just about competing for medals but issues of racism, fairness, working with communities and many more day-to-day matters.

“Our teams leaving for Samoa and Congo Brazzaville will get a taste of some of the teachings around the Olympic Movement.

“I hope they will cherish this Olympic Day forever and become great Olympics.”

Olympic, world and European champion swimmer Chad le Clos was one of the South African athletes in attendance at the Olympic Day event — Olympic, world and European champion swimmer Chad le Clos is one of the South African athletes in attendance at the Olympic Day event ©Getty Images

The event, with the theme of “Move, Learn and Discover”, has been arranged to coincide with the departure of the South African team to Samoa's capital Apia for the Commonwealth Youth Games, due to take place from September 5 until 11.

The majority of the team to compete at the All-Africa Games in Brazzaville are due to leave on Wednesday (September 2).

SASCOC, working in conjunction with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Central Gauteng Athletics and the Birchwood Hotel, have been spreading the Olympic message in the build-up to the event.

“This year’s Olympic Day comes less than a week before our different teams represent South Africa at this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games and All-Africa Games respectively,” SASCOC chief executive Tubby Reddy said.

“This day is just yet another opportunity for the South African citizens to learn more on Olympic values through interacting with our top athletes and participating in the day’s activities."