Team SA set their sights on Nanjing

The South African contingent will contest 14 of the 30 sporting codes presented at the Games, where golf will make its Olympic debut on August 19.

South African juniors Kyle McClatchie and Kaleigh Telfer will first compete in the 54-hole boys and girls stroke play tournaments at the Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club.

Thereafter they will combine at the same venue in the mixed gender team event from August 24 to 26.

The Summer Youth Olympic Games marks Telfer’s first appearance for Team SA, while McClatchie is among a large group of athletes who competed in the green and gold at the second Africa Youth Games in Botswana in June.

McClatchie, from Ekurhuleni, claimed gold in the boys’ tournament and added another gold to South Africa’s 90-plus medal tally by leading the four-man SA golf team to victory in the teams event at the Gaborone Golf Club.

“It’s finally happening and we are both so incredibly proud, excited and honoured to represent South Africa for the first time in an Olympic event,” said Telfer, from Gauteng.

“This whole thing is huge and definitely the biggest thing to ever happen to Kaleigh and me. We are really excited, but also nervous. We just want to get to China and get going,” said McClatchie.

In addition to golf, the South African juniors will also compete in aquatics, athletics, canoeing, equestrian, gymnastics, hockey, judo, sailing, shooting, swimming, tennis, triathlon and wrestling.

– Sapa