Paris Games: North Durban trio live out Olympic dreams
Janet Simpkins (Durban North), Calvin Davis (Durban North) and Timothy Vadachalam (Umgeni Park) are all part of Team SA.
THE Olympic Games in Paris got underway in spectacular fashion as thousands of athletes, including Team SA, sailed along the River Seine to applause from crowds on bridges and rooftops in the French capital.
The opening ceremony also broke with tradition as it was the first time an opening ceremony was held on a waterway instead of a stadium.
Eagle-eyed viewers would have also noticed some local faces on the Team SA boat, including Janet Simpkins (Durban North), Calvin Davis (Durban North) and Timothy Vadachalam (Umgeni Park).
Janet Simpkins
Simpkins, the team manager for the SA canoe team, is attending her first Olympic Games along with hockey player Davis and physiotherapist on the medical team, Vadachalam.
“It is really exciting to be here in Paris,” explained Simpkins who has previously represented South Africa in sprint and marathon canoeing. “I think the excitement of representing South Africa, in whatever capacity, is an honour. I’ve been on a few tours with the youth team but nothing on this scale. As a young athlete, you dream of competing at the Olympics because it is recognised as the pinnacle, so in a way, this is my full circle moment.
“Being able to offer my services to the country and to the sport of canoeing is massive. I’m also grateful to the federation and to the South African Sports Confederation and the Olympic Committee (SASCOC) for the opportunity. I feel the canoeing team are up against tough competition, but they’ve put everything into their preparations and line-up, with belief in themselves.”
Calvin Davis
Calvin Davis has already made his Olympic Games debut with the SA men’s hockey team losing three of their five pool games. The team also beat France and drew with Great Britain.
“This is my first Olympic Games, and I’m just buzzing to get it started. I’m really proud to represent my country – it’s all happened so fast since my debut in January, so I’m trying to take it all in and make the most of it. My parents have been a huge part of my success as hockey is a sport that is self-funded, and therefore, they have given me the opportunity to express myself at the highest level which I will always thank them for,” he said.
Davis, who went to La Lucia Junior Primary and Virginia Preparatory School, also described the vibe in the athlete’s village in Paris.
“The village is very busy and filled with excitement as none of the codes have began yet. I’m sure it will be different in a few days when everything starts, but right now, it is buzzing. The team is feeling very confident,” he said.
Timothy Vadachalam
The comments about the vibe in Paris were also echoed by physiotherapist Timothy Vadachalam.
“The vibe in Paris so far is awesome – most of the athletes from the major codes have arrived. There is great weather, and I did a bit of touring at some landmarks in Paris. I have done a few tours previously with Team SA, including Region V Youth Games, Commonwealth Games, Africa Games. This, however, is my first Olympic Games. I will be in Paris until the end of the Olympics on August 12 so I’m soaking it all in,” he said.
On a national front, Team South Africa is being represented in 19 different codes with a total number of 138 athletes (View the full team here).
Some of that team also involves a number of Durbanites, including triathlete Henri Schoeman, hockey player Gowan Jones and canoeist Hamish Lovemore, to name a few.
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