All roads lead to Rio for the Eastern Cape’s Premier long-distance runner Lusapho April after he was yesterday named in the provisional marathon squad to compete at this year’s Olympic Games.
Olympic governing body Sascoc named the first 24 athletes of Team South Africa to participate at the 2016 Games, including the six marathon runners.
“It was something I was expecting but it is good to see it out officially,” said April.
The East London-based runner, along with Sibusiso Nzima and Lungile Gongqa are set to represent the SA men, while Irvette van Zyl, Christine Kalmer and Diana Lebo Phalula have been picked to compete on the women’s front.
The marathon squad is, however, provisional as the qualifying period will stay open until July 11, and if any runner qualifies with a better time between now and then they will be considered for selection.
“I am confident that the times I have run are more than good enough that I will still be in the squad when it is finalised after the qualifying period and I am not worried at all that someone will run faster and replace me,” said April.
“I have already begun my preparations for the Games and my training will continue as usual.”
With April having competed at the London Olympics and an unfortunate fall putting paid to any chances he had of medalling, he will be eager to make the most of his opportunity this time around.
“I think I have unfinished business at the Olympics and I feel if everything in the buildup and on raceday goes according to plan I will have a great chance of winning a medal,” insisted April.
The other athletes named by Sascoc are in the cycling, canoeing, gymnastics, sailing and aquatics codes.
Cycling: Men’s Road Race – Daryl Impey, Louis Meintjes. Canoeing: Women – Bridgitte Hartley. Gymnastics: Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – Ryan Patterson. Sailing: Stefano Marcia, Asenathi Jim, Roger Hudson. Swimming: Men – Chad le Clos, Cameron van der Burgh, Sebastien Rousseau, Michael Meyer, Christopher Reid, Matthew Meyer, Myles Brown, Bradley Tandy, Douglas Erasmus, Jarred Crous. Diving: Women – Julia Vincent.
April to show his heels at the Games
Olympic governing body Sascoc named the first 24 athletes of Team South Africa to participate at the 2016 Games, including the six marathon runners.
“It was something I was expecting but it is good to see it out officially,” said April.
The East London-based runner, along with Sibusiso Nzima and Lungile Gongqa are set to represent the SA men, while Irvette van Zyl, Christine Kalmer and Diana Lebo Phalula have been picked to compete on the women’s front.
The marathon squad is, however, provisional as the qualifying period will stay open until July 11, and if any runner qualifies with a better time between now and then they will be considered for selection.
“I am confident that the times I have run are more than good enough that I will still be in the squad when it is finalised after the qualifying period and I am not worried at all that someone will run faster and replace me,” said April.
“I have already begun my preparations for the Games and my training will continue as usual.”
With April having competed at the London Olympics and an unfortunate fall putting paid to any chances he had of medalling, he will be eager to make the most of his opportunity this time around.
“I think I have unfinished business at the Olympics and I feel if everything in the buildup and on raceday goes according to plan I will have a great chance of winning a medal,” insisted April.
The other athletes named by Sascoc are in the cycling, canoeing, gymnastics, sailing and aquatics codes.
Cycling: Men’s Road Race – Daryl Impey, Louis Meintjes. Canoeing: Women – Bridgitte Hartley. Gymnastics: Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – Ryan Patterson. Sailing: Stefano Marcia, Asenathi Jim, Roger Hudson. Swimming: Men – Chad le Clos, Cameron van der Burgh, Sebastien Rousseau, Michael Meyer, Christopher Reid, Matthew Meyer, Myles Brown, Bradley Tandy, Douglas Erasmus, Jarred Crous. Diving: Women – Julia Vincent.
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