A brand new Grand Prix series will take off in the new year which will assist not only the South African athletes to enhance their careers, but the spectators will have the chance to watch the best in the world on their home soil.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) have announced that the three-leg Athletix Grand Prix series will be held at three different tracks in 2018. The event will boast a total prize incentive of R1 365 000 in order for athletes to produce outstanding performances.
This competition will feature three Grand Prix meetings in March, one month prior to the Commonwealth Games to be held from April 8 to 15, 2018 in Australia. South Africa’s finest will have the ideal opportunity to hone their skills in a competitive environment as part of their global preparations.
These track and field meetings will take place in Johannesburg at the Ruimsig stadium on March 1, 2018; in Tshwane at the LC de Villiers stadium March 8 and in Paarl at the Dal Josaphat Stadium on March 22.
This elite series is intended to host and attract top athletes from around the world to test their best performances in South Africa.
“We are excited to announce the series which we believe restores our domestic track and field season right back on top where it was about a decade ago,” said Aleck Skhosana, the president of ASA. “These meetings will be explosive, entertaining and of the highest standard.”
“This is the ideal opportunity for our athletes to put in those final touches before heading off to Australia and to other international destinations to represent this country in the best possible shape.”
Four of our current athletes have broken the 10 seconds barrier for the 100m, while two have gone below 20 seconds in the 200m.
South African record holder Akani Simbine, who had a brilliant domestic and international season last year going five times under 10 seconds, is expected to continue his duel with Thando Roto in the 100m, who also dipped under 10 seconds.
World champions Wayde van Niekerk (400m) who is recovering from injury, Caster Semenya (800m), Luvo Manyonga (long jump) and world number three Ruswahl Samaai (long jump,) are also expected to be the highlight of the 2018 season and the Grand Prix could offer some of them the platform to really excel in the new season.
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