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SASCOC’s unfair exclusion of SA canoe and kayak athletes from 2020 Olympic Games

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Dear MyPE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned by reports stating that South Africa will have no representation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the Canoe and Kayak categories.

The SA canoe and kayak teams have secured qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, however they might not take any part in the games due to not meeting the higher criteria set by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) which is higher than that of the International Federation.

Team SA found out about their exclusion shortly after arriving home from their victory in Morocco, that even though they legitimately qualified for quotas for South Africa to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, SASCOC will not allow them to compete.

The athletes’ 8-year long commitment of hard training and sacrifice has come to a disappointing end due to SASCOC’s unreasonable and unfair treatment.

According to reports, SASCOC indicated that they have the right to alter the international criteria if it is reasonable and fair. They also say that they cannot allow SA athletes to take part in such a prestigious event with the possibility that they can embarrass themselves and the country.

The DA will write to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, to call on him to urgently intervene on this unacceptable behavior by SASCOC that is stealing away the dream of athletes and young prospective academy athletes of competing at the highest level in sport.

The DA have already submitted Parliamentary Questions to the Minister to establish:

  1. What are the specific circumstances in SA that are different from that of other countries to motivate SASCOC to set more stringent criteria as set by the International Canoe Federation for SA canoe sprinters?
  2. According to the International Canoe Federation alterations to their criteria can be done if it is reasonable and fair. Is it reasonable and fair to take away these SA athletes hard earned Olympic positions after they got these positions without financial assistance from SASCOC ?
  3. These athletes are according to the International Canoe Federation amongst the top sprinters in the world- why not allow them to participate with their own funding if funding is a problem for SASCOC ?
  4. Can SASCOC as a matter of urgency review their decision and reclaim the positions for South Africa?
  5. Will SASCOC allow these athletes to apply from the International Olympic Committee to participate in the 2020 Olympic Games as ANA (Authorized Neutral Athletes) if they cannot assist them to participate?

The opportunity to attend an Olympic Games is massive for South African canoe and kayak teams – it will allow them to compete with the best on the world stage. It would be injurious not to give the athletes an opportunity to compete having sacrificed a better part of 8 years building up to these games.

Given that the Athletes have done their best to qualify, we hope that SASCOC will do the right thing as consider them for being part of Team SA.

The Democratic Alliance will be keeping a close eye on these developments.

Regards

Veronica Van Dyk MP
DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture

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