TWO of South Africa’s top athletes are off to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with a big smile.
Sprinter Akani Simbine, and the world long jump champion, Rushwai Samaai, have received a sponsorship to take them through the Olympics.
The partnership between the two South African athletes and Panasonic was announced on Thursday, June 30.
The sponsorships inaugurate Panasonic’s Make Me Better campaign, which aims to support young athletes in achieving their potential.
Panasonic appliance product marketer Judy Huang said:” Panasonic has a rich heritage in creating innovative products to simplify and improve consumers’ lives, and we are excited to be bringing that message to South Africa.
“Akani and Rushwai embody a strong ethos of striving to be better, making them potent symbols of the Panasonic brand and our Make Me Better campaign, showcasing how our products help people to realise their potential.”
“This will give us the opportunity to focus on our achievements at the Olympics,” said Simbine.
“I will also try my best in the sprinting numbers and, now that I have the backing of a sponsorship, it will give me something to work for and maintain.”
“I am without any words and very emotional, as this is the first time that I will have not only support from the athletic fraternity, but also outside support, such as a sponsorship,” said Samaai.
“All I now have to do is to stay healthy, eat and train correctly, do the right things on track and not worry about anything on the outside that will influence my preparations for the Olympics.”
Simbine equalled the South African record and set an event record when he won gold in the 100m sprint, at the 2015 Universiade, in Gwangju, South Korea.
He subsequently went on to break the South African record for the 100m, in a time of 9.96s, at the Athletic South Africa Night Series meeting, at Pilditch Stadium, in Pretoria, making him the fastest man in the country over this distance.
Samaai won bronze in the long jump at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He won gold in the African Championships in June, this year, with a magnificent jump of 8.40m.
“I am delighted to partner with a global brand of Panasonic’s prestige, and one with its commitment to nurturing talent,” said Samaai.
“It’s great that brands like Panasonic are getting behind us as we build up to the Olympics.”
“True to Panasonic’s spirit of helping people to do better, these two great South African athletes will be giving of their utmost at this year’s Summer Olympics,” said Huang. “Panasonic will be behind them each step of the way.”
The two left on Saturday, July 2, to conclude their training in Europe and to compete at one or two meetings, before leaving for the 2016 Olympic Games, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21.
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