ASA finds selection solution
Middle-distance runners Johan Cronje, Andre Olivier and Elroy Gelant have been included in South Africa's final team for the African Athletics Championships, after they were all left out the provisional squad.
FILE PICTURE: Johan Cronje. Picture: Duif du Toit Gallo Images.
Aleck Skhosana, the Athletics SA (ASA) president, confirmed on Tuesday that all three athletes had been drafted into the 41-member team.
“We worked hard with the selectors to solve the dilemma because Cronje, Olivier and Gelant have all been in good form this season,” Skhosana said.
The ASA selection committee had been asked to reassess the provisional team, less than two weeks before the continental event, after the country’s top distance runners were left in the dark, along with a number of junior athletes who met the qualifying criteria.
Skhosana said the federation did not have the resources to send some of the younger members of the squad, but he was satisfied that the country’s top athletes would put up a strong fight for top spot in the medals table.
“We would have liked to send more athletes, but our hands were tied with regards to finances after making every possible attempt to secure the additional resources.
“ASA is confident the team that has been selected will do the country proud.”
– Sapa
