Olympians aren’t found under any rock; they are a special breed – a select few who make it to the top of the mountain. A couple of North-West University athletes and staff can add the title of Olympian to their CV after representing South Africa at this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.

Photo: Barco Greeff/Picture Café 

The NWU celebrated this achievement with a special function at Kleinbosch Venue on Friday, 20 August. A collaboration between the office of the director of student life, NWU Alumni, NWU Sports, NWU High Performance Institute of Sport and stakeholder relations, made the event possible.

Charné Maddocks (hockey), Jo-Ané van Dyk (javelin), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Annelize Rostron (umpire official) and Prof. Pieter Kruger (team psychologist) were at the event to receive their awards. Numerous athletes were also honoured in absentia. They are Chederick van Wyk (4 x 100 m relay), Pieter Conradie (4 x400 m relay), Zakithi Nene (400 m), Jean Verster (team manager), Pierre Blignaut (coach), Wayne Snyman (race walker – alumnus) and Celia Seerane (hockey – alumnus).

Video: Wouter Pienaar

The executive director of student life at the NWU, Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, extended his thanks to the athletes and coaches who made the NWU proud at the Olympic Games.

“Just being there at the Olympic Games is already a massive achievement. I want to give a big thank you to the coaches and the NWU who help the athletes to achieve their dreams,” he stated.