MZANSI’S Paralympic stars Sandra Khumalo, Lucas Sithole and Union Sekailwe are going for gold at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Paralympics run from today until 18 September.
The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has sent a talented team of 45 athletes to Brazil. The team will compete in 20 sporting codes and Sascoc is confident they will return home with 40 medals. The 2012 Paralympics team returned from London with 29 medals.
Team members were encouraged by the news that they would also receive the same amount in medal incentives as was awarded to the Olympic team.
Sascoc gave Olympic athletes R400 000 plus R100 000 for the coach for a gold medal, R200 000 for silver with another R50 000 for the coach and R80 000 for a bronze medal, with the coach getting R20 000.
Sekailwe said receiving the same amount of money as able bodied athletes motivated them to do well in Rio. He is hoping to bag a gold medal in athletics, which starts at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow.
Sekailwe said: “It’s not about the incentive itself but about the fact that we are treated the same as the Olympic team. That is big motivation for us.”
Khumalo, a mother of two, relocated from KwaZulu-Natal to Joburg to chase her Paralympic dream. The rowing star is raring to go and has set her sights on gold. She didn’t do well in London four years ago but gained valuable experience.
She said: “Since moving to Joburg I feel I have improved. I’m confident and determined to win a medal.”
Wheelchair tennis star Sithole, who is a force to be reckoned with in the sport, is a shoo-in for a medal. He is beaming with confidence: “The stage is set for us to shine and represent SA with distinction.”
