As lockdown restrictions end, the athletes can once again compete nationally and internationally with fans returning to stadiums to cheer them on
So, we are finally allowed back to stadiums to watch our sports stars perform! Even better, our sports stars are allowed to finally travel and compete! This is brilliant and, as you know, our paralympic athletes were the most affected by this horrible pandemic. Hopefully, their lives are getting back to some sort of normality.
The return to action included Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The biggest multi-coded games to include para sport. The para sport that qualified for these games were:
- Para athletics (4 males and 5 females);
- Para swimming (1 male and 2 females);
- Para triathlon (2 males and 1 female);
- Para lawn bowls (3 males and 3 female);
- Wheelchair basketball 3X3 (male and female teams).
Once again our para athletes performed exceptionally. Ndodomzi Ntutu defended his 100 m T12 title from 2018 by winning comfortable again. The legend Charl du Toit, in his final race before retirement, won a silver medal competing in the T38 class 100 m final.
The para lawn bowls pair of Desiree Levin and Victoria van der Merwe won Bronze, and Christian Sadie (who also carried the flag at the opening ceremony with Netball Captain Bongi Msomi) won Bronze in the S7 50m Freestyle. Yours truly was the Deputy Chef de Mission and once again was truly humbled to be part of Team South Africa.
Let’s talk about Charl du Toit. He has now officially retired. He leaves a legacy that is hard to forget. He is a multi-medallist and world record breaker in many Paralympic Games and World Championships. However, the legacy he leaves off the field is even greater.
A natural leader, always smiling (his nickname is smiling lightning) and forever humble. Athletes like these are hard to replace and I’m sure all will join me in wishing Charl well in his future endeavours. Thank you Charl for your contribution to para sport!
We now start the road to Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. I have my first visit in October 2022 to this iconic city. The last time I was there, it was not a very accessible city. Let’s hope these games will change that as a legacy. Bon voyage…
