Sport24.co.za | Ramaphosa hails Team SA’s Commonwealth Games success
Cape Town – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Team South Africa on bringing home 37 medals from the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast of Australia.
South Africa ended in sixth position on the medals table in a competition – winning 13 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals.
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Among South Africa’s top achievers were swimmers Tatjana Schoenmaker, Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh, who achieved six medals combined, while sprinter Akani Simbine won the country’s first gold medal in the 100m sprint.
Caster Semenya won gold for the 800m and 1 500m, while Martin Erasmus won South Africa’s first Commonwealth wrestling gold medal in 60 years.
“We are immensely proud of our team for this outstanding performance that has placed the spotlight not just on our sporting prowess but also on how our society is creating opportunities for all South Africans to realise their human potential,” said Ramaphosa via a press statement.
“I wish to encourage all South Africans to support our athletes and the governing structures to ensure even greater performance moving forward.”
Ramaphosa further reiterated the importance of sports in building a healthy and cohesive society.
Ramaphosa will personally congratulate the athletes when he meets the members of Team South Africa following his return from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London this week.
He and his delegation departs for the United Kingdom on Monday, April 16.