South Africa Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) have announced the first names of the team members to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 6th to 18th October, 2018.
Team South Africa will be represented in 19 different sports codes for these, the third Youth Olympic Games.
The different codes are: aquatics (diving and swimming), archery, athletics, canoeing, climbing, dance sport, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, hockey, modern pentathlon, rowing, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.
Team sports traveling to South America are hockey (women) and rugby sevens (men).
These names, along with archery, athletics, modern pentathlon and triathlon will be released at a later stage.
Chef de Mission for the team will be Clifford Cobers who also served in the same capacity for Team SA at the 2015 Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa.
“I have no doubt that these games will see more Olympic and Commonwealth Games stars putting their hands up on the big stage. I wish them all well and urge them to give their all on the field of play and also to act as great ambassadors for the rainbow nation.”
SASCOC President, Gideon Sam wished the team well: “The Youth Olympic Games are the third multi-coded event of the year that SASCOC have delivered a team to. And once again we are confident that this team will do the nation proud by showcasing our rich sporting talent.”
“These young sportswomen and sportsmen are the future of our sport and events like the YOG that help shape their future,” Sam added.
2018 Africa Cadet Champion, Fernando Booysen is South Africa sole representative in the wrestling event.
Aquatics see 2018 Commonwealth Games swimmers Mariella Venter, Kate Beavon, Duné Coetzee and Michael Houlie part of the squad.
