Sascoc applauds Van Dyk
The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has congratulated Paralympian wheelchair racer and handcyclist Ernst van Dyk for making history on Monday by winning a record 10th wheelchair title in the Boston Marathon.
FILE PICTURE: SASCOC President Gideon Sam. Picture: Refilwe Modise
Van Dyk crossed the finish line in an hour, 20 minutes, 36 seconds (1:20.36) and holds the record for the most Boston Marathon wins.
Some of Van Dyk’s achievements include being awarded the Laureus World Sports Awards for Sportsperson with a Disability in 2006.
He won a bronze medal in the 400 metres at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, silver medal in the 800m at the 2004 Summer Paralympics, another silver in the 1500m, and a bronze in the 5000m.
He also won a gold medal in the handcycling road race at the 2004 Paralymics in Beijing as well as bronze in the wheelchair marathon.
At the 2012 Paralympics in London Van Dyk won silver in the road race.
“Well done to Ernst van Dyk for such a great performance at the Boston Marathon,” Sascoc chief executive Tubby Reddy said in a statement on Tuesday.
“You continue to fly the South African flag high and this is a positive outcome on our road to Rio in 2016. We are positive you will continue to perform exceptionally going forward.”
Van Dyk is a six-time Paralympian athlete who has competed in three different sports swimming, athletics and cyling.
– Sapa
For more news your way
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
