fourth is last

So, just got the news from Sascoc. despite many behind closed door meetings, i will not be the last minute inclusion to the olympic squad. i blame Bhutana.

Will just keep the chin up, and start planning for London 2012. meanwhile lets be proudly seffrican and see what's on the menu?

once again, the aussies will make us cry with their medal haul. i got lazy and ctrl c ctrl v the spiel from sport.iafrica.com. don't think they complain as it wasn't even proofred. yes it is GODFREY!



Lords of the Rings
Article By: Rob PetersMon, 04 Aug 2008 22:47
With the Beijing Olympics kicking off this weekend, we list South Africa’s top medal contenders at the Summer Games! And, as expected, all eyes will again be on the pool this year.


SWIMMING

Team South Africa has generally done the best in the pool and we expect 2008 to be no different with a number of swimmers capable of a medal in the pool.

Roland Schoeman:

South Africa’s most successful swimmer at Athens four years ago, Schoeman continues to build on his success with a number of world records to his name. Schoeman can be expected to lead the charge in the swimming again this year.

Men's 4x100 freestyle team (Roland Schoeman, Ryk Neethling, Lyndon Ferns and Gideon Louw): The team stunned the world when they won gold in Athens, and while they have not shown the same world-beating form since then, there form of late has shown improvement with fourth place at the world champs. Gideon Louw has replaced Darian Townsend in the team from Athens and we are picking the boys for a podium finish.

Suzaan van Biljon: After a strong showing at the World Short Course Champs this year — a gold in and bronze in the 200m and 100m breaststroke respectively — the young swimmer is definitely one to keep an eye on in Beijing.

Gerhard Zandberg: The captain of the swimming team has shown his pedigree with a gold at the world champs in 2007 — one of only two for SA at the event — and will be determined to build on that performance at the Olympics this year. Zandberg will be competing in the 100m and 50m freestyle as well as the 50m backstroke and is a strong contender in all the events.

Natalie du Toit: Some might consider Du Toit happy with just qualifying for the able-bodies Games this year, but the driven young swimmer will be a realistic chance for a medal in the 10km open-water swim after finishing fourth at the world champs in Spain this year, thus earning her qualification. And if anybody can beat the odds, it is Natalie…

CYCLING

Team SA has two surprise contenders for medals in the cycling this year and both riders are seen as very realistic hopes of standing atop the podium come race-day.

Sifiso Nhlapo: Young BMX rider Nhlapo has been burning up the track lately, qualifying for Beijing with a third place at the world champs earlier this year. He has consistently been finishing on the podium during the series and has to be seen as a strong challenger at the Games.

Burry Stander: MTB star Burry Stander has been dominating the U23 World Cup, but it was his silver medal in the open event at the World Cup race in Andorra this year that made everybody sit up and take notice. Finishing behind current world champion Cristoff Sauser, Stander showed he has the ability to challenge the top racers and now finds himself a serious challenger in Beijing.

TRACK AND FIELD:

South Africa’s hopes in the track and field events are certainly not looking as good as previous Olympics, but we do have some challengers for medals.

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi: An Olympic silver medalist in 2004, Mulaudzi is back on track to challenge for a podium spot in 2008 after a strong showing at the Herculis Super Grand Prix meeting in July this year. The 800m star ran his fourth fastest time at the event, finishing in third place, and setting himself up well for Beijing.

Godfrey Mokoena (check up on first name) Long-jumping hopeful Mokoena has not been living up to his potential of late, but he regularly jumps over eight metres and on a good day he is one of the best in the world. He reportedly had a falling out with his coach – just a month before the Games – which is worrying, but he is still one to watch.

ROWING:

Ramon di Clemente and Shaun Keeling: Top SA Olympian Ramon Di Clemente and his new partner Shaun Keeling have been in fantastic form ahead of Beijing. Winning bronze at the World Cup in Poland and then winning the Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames in July, the pairing have gelled fantastically well together. So expect the pair to pose a formidable challenge in Beijing.

CANOEING

Shaun Rubenstein: Before his Beijing qualification, Rubenstein was primarily a marathon contender, his decision to focus on the sprints was made with the Olympics in mind. And while he may not have had a breakthrough success in the discipline as of yet, he is knocking at the door with a couple of fourth-place finishes at World Cup events. The races are also incredibly close in the canoeing sprints and Rubenstein has a very good chance of a medal.