SA’s Commonwealth Games – the real story

[MickeyD]

It doesn't matter how much SASCOC’s expensive, “buddy, buddy” public relations company spins it, South Africa has once again under achieved at the Commonwealth Games.

I’m not for one minute blaming any of the athletes who all gave 120% in an effort to win medals but one needs to look at the facts.

Medals table:	2002	2006	2010	2014
SA medals	46	38	33	40
Winning country	207	224	177	174

Should we be satisfied with 40 medals after getting 46 back in 2002?

Should we be satisfied to finish behind New Zealand and Scotland on the medals table (two countries together that have a 5th of our population)?

SASCOC predicted 43 medals for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

43 was a very cautious estimate, considering they didn't want to expose themselves as they did with the London Olympics, when they predicted 12 medals and we got six.

And I can assure you, SASCOC didn't factor in seven lawn bowls medals in Glasgow in their tally of 43.

What an unbelievable achievement from our bowlers, in a sport that survives on scraps when it comes to funding.

So, take away the seven bowls medals and Chad Le Clos’s remarkable seven swimming medals and what are you left with?

It is 26 medals from 118 athletes (excluding the team sports), who SASCOC selected on the criteria that they were ranked top 5 in the Commonwealth and medal potential.

“We came here for medals, not to run around in the streets of Glasgow.” – SASCOC president, Gideon Sam

Perhaps, that’s why we didn't have any marathon runners at the Games.

If the Australian winner of the men’s marathon was South African, he wouldn't have gone to the Games on SASCOC’s selection criteria.

That’s how wrong they've got it.

SA’s Lusapho April, who finished third in the New York City marathon in 2013 wasn't even asked by SASCOC or Athletics SA (ASA) if he was available for the Commonwealth Games.

Read the rest here: http://sportsfire.co.za/sas-commonwealth-games-the-real-story

 

[MickeyD]

Thanks SASCOC for failing SA's athletes again.

Makes me wonder where all that Lotto money is REALLY going!!!

And well done to the administrators... how many went with this time???

 

[MickeyD]

Press conference on return... why are the administrators hogging the limelight while the medal winners are pushed to the background?

Shame on you SASCOC.

 

[Creag]

A good read. SASCOC never seem to learn from their past blunders. Too much politics from these circus buffoons.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Top 5 in the Commonwealth?!?!? Really?

Then please explain how ANY of our gymnasts were selected.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they did, it was great exposure for them, they did themselves proud, but none of them are anywhere close to top 5 in the Commonwealth.

 

[MickeyD]

Top 5 in the Commonwealth?!?!? Really?

Then please explain how ANY of our gymnasts were selected.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they did, it was great exposure for them, they did themselves proud, but none of them are anywhere close to top 5 in the Commonwealth.

What about badminton? Not even in the top 85 !!!!

 

[Creag]

A lot of our sports folk will rightly feel aggrieved. Time for a wholesale change go the top brass at SASCOC.

 

[ToxicBunny]

What about badminton? Not even in the top 85 !!!!

Agreed...

I'm not unhappy that the athletes went, its given them exposure in ways we could never dream of doing in this country, but to come up with BS like "top 5" is just not on.

We underfund sports in this country, we just cannot compete against most countries because of it, yes we still make a good showing because our athletes actually WANT to do well in spite of the BS they have to deal with.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Politics and sport are like water and a duck's back but this country still insists on mashing them together...