The cancellation of the 2021 CAA African Senior Championships due to the Covid-19 pandemic has robbed a number of SA athletes with the much needed competition ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The African Senior Championships would have taken place in Lagos, Nigeria from 23-27 June. This also makes it that much harder for athletes aiming to still qualify for the Olympic squad.

There is another route to the Olympics in the form of a couple of domestic events this coming month. ASA has identified several domestic competitions in ASA provinces that can still be utilised by athletes to qualify before the Olympic Games deadline of 29 June for all events (excluding the Marathon and 50km Race Walk).

“While this in an unfortunate development, we understand that Covid-19 remains a threat and continues to be disruptive in everything we do,” said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. “Most of Africa and indeed, the major part of the world, is still being held hostage by the pandemic. “It’s a pity, therefore, that our athletes will not be benefitting from the great competition that the African Champs offer and it’s unlikely that there will be another opportunity to host the continental event before the Olympic Games.”

However, this is not entirely a lost course for our athletes who are still looking for competition to qualify for the Games as there are several competitions that are available in our domestic calendar at our ASA provinces. “

For those who have already qualified, the same domestic competitions can be used for preparations, especially because most are used by international athletes who are holding camp in South Africa and thus add to needed competition. KZN Athletics, for instance, will include the 5000m events in their Middle Distance Meeting,” added Moloi.

The following are some of the key events identified by ASA for athletes and coaches:

League Meeting 3-5   Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) 12 – 19 June 2021

WPA Middle Distance Meeting Western Province Athletics (WPA) 12 June 2021 Field Events (PV, LJ,TJ)

Boland Athletics (BOLA) 12, 19 and 26 June 2021

KZNA Middle Distance Meeting Kwa-Zulu Natal Athletics (KZNA) 18 June 2021

Open Meeting Athletics Central North West (ACNW) 26 June 2021

Olympic Preparation Meeting Kwa-Zulu Natal Athletics (KZNA) 9-10 July 2021