The five University of Johannesburg (UJ) students and athletics club members who went to the Rio 2016 Olympics and did the best they could, are back in South Africa.
Lynique Prinsloo, who is a South African champion, participated in the long-jump event and finished 33rd, Anél Oosthuizen, a South African record holder, competed in race-walking and came 63rd. Ruswahl Samaai, the current South African long jump champion also competed and finished ninth. The UJ Athletics Club members Alyssa Conley,came 41st in the 100m and 36th in the 200m sprints, and Khotso Mokoena, who is the bronze African champion, competed in the triple jump event and came in 31st.
Ruswahl Samaai, the current South African long jump champion also competed and finished ninth. The UJ Athletics Club members Alyssa Conley,came 41st in the 100m and 36th in the 200m sprints, and Khotso Mokoena, who is the bronze African champion, competed in the triple jump event and came in 31st.
Ruswahl Samaai, the current South African long jump champion also competed and finished ninth. The UJ Athletics Club members Alyssa Conley,came 41st in the 100m and 36th in the 200m sprints, and Khotso Mokoena, who is the bronze African champion, competed in the triple jump event and came in 31st.
UJ athletics manager, Roger Haitengi, said it has been a long season for the athletes. “They gave it their best and we at UJ are very proud of them,” he said. Haitengi added that it was the first time, for four of the athletes; only Mokoena had been to the Olympics before.
He said the athletes might be a little disappointed because they wanted to achieve more, but the university understands that adapting to another country is not easy for any athlete. “UJ is proud and they have represented us to the highest level,” he said proudly. He added that out of 58 million people in South Africa, about 140 were chosen to go to the Olympics and five of them were from UJ.
“UJ is proud and they have represented us to the highest level,” he said proudly. He added that out of 58 million people in South Africa, about 140 were chosen to go to the Olympics and five of them were from UJ.
“The athletes are back home, resting, getting ready to resume training and catching up with their studies,” he said. The athletes will soon prepare to go the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in London, next year.
This is a developing story. Follow Northcliff Melville Times for more articles on the Olympics and participating athletes.
