By DAVID ISAACSON
The SA Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has breathing room again – to the tune of R70-million.
The National Lotteries Commission in Johannesburg yesterday announced it was assisting the sports umbrella body with the boon.
And the cash couldn’t have come sooner.
“We were beginning to panic and were just about to fire the CEO and the CFO,” said Sascoc president Gideon Sam, probably with his tongue slightly in cheek.
“I am happy now that we can go to Rio. There was doubt as to whether any of these board members would go to Rio.
“I said if there’s no money, there’s no trip ... With what we’ve got we can assist our athletes now.”
A Sascoc press statement said the funds would be used for the delivery of Team SA to the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games.
“Some funds will be used for athlete preparation for these games,” the statement added.
It’s a little too late to start preparation now – just more than a month before the Rio Olympics begin on August 6, but the Lotto has been funding Sascoc and some individual Olympic codes over the past few years.
“The only time we did not give the sports movement money was in the run-up to Beijing and the result is we got one silver medal,” said Sam, who was chairing the Lotto’s sports distribution agency at the time.
“So please don’t make that mistake again. Give the sports movement money and we’ll deliver.”
The four-year cycle into London 2012 saw a substantial increase in money going into Olympic sport, and it was rewarded with the best haul since readmission – six medals, three of them gold.
The effects of that boost are likely to have spilled into the 2016 cycle, though Lotto substantially cut its payout to sport from 2013.
Lotto saves Sascoc with R70m for games
The SA Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has breathing room again – to the tune of R70-million.
The National Lotteries Commission in Johannesburg yesterday announced it was assisting the sports umbrella body with the boon.
And the cash couldn’t have come sooner.
“We were beginning to panic and were just about to fire the CEO and the CFO,” said Sascoc president Gideon Sam, probably with his tongue slightly in cheek.
“I am happy now that we can go to Rio. There was doubt as to whether any of these board members would go to Rio.
“I said if there’s no money, there’s no trip ... With what we’ve got we can assist our athletes now.”
A Sascoc press statement said the funds would be used for the delivery of Team SA to the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games.
“Some funds will be used for athlete preparation for these games,” the statement added.
It’s a little too late to start preparation now – just more than a month before the Rio Olympics begin on August 6, but the Lotto has been funding Sascoc and some individual Olympic codes over the past few years.
“The only time we did not give the sports movement money was in the run-up to Beijing and the result is we got one silver medal,” said Sam, who was chairing the Lotto’s sports distribution agency at the time.
“So please don’t make that mistake again. Give the sports movement money and we’ll deliver.”
The four-year cycle into London 2012 saw a substantial increase in money going into Olympic sport, and it was rewarded with the best haul since readmission – six medals, three of them gold.
The effects of that boost are likely to have spilled into the 2016 cycle, though Lotto substantially cut its payout to sport from 2013.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos