Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: SA Athens Paralympic team announcement
MESSAGE BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, AT THE ATHENS 2004 SOUTH AFRICAN PARALYMPIC TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT AT WANDERERS BUILDING, Bryanston, Johannesburg, 13 May 2004
Members of the Athletics South Africa Executive
Sports administrators present
All athletes gathered here
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Members of the business community
Distinguished guests
Today we stand proud yet again as we announce the 2004 Paralympic Team, Amakrokokroko, to represent South Africa at the Athens 2004 in September.
The triumphs of Amakrokokroko are well documented even in the three occasions of participation they have had in world Paralympics since the country's re-admission to international sports in 1992.
In the last games in Sydney 2000 alone, they brought an incredible 38 medals back to South Africa, with13 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals, achieving more than the three received by our other Olympics athletes in the same tournament.
We are very proud of their achievements and are certain that the number can only increase this time around.
We would therefore like to mobilise the whole nation behind these incredible athletes, as we are proud to draw inspiration from what Amakrokokroko continue to achieve against all odds.
Some people say our country has been catching a sports fever over the last few weeks. We say no, South Africa has long been a sporting nation. From our highly competitive soccer and cricket to rugby, from tennis to golf and a host of other sports codes, we have managed to produce athletes, sportsmen and women of the highest calibre from home soil to compete with the best in the world and we continue to do so.
As you are aware, President Mbeki is leading a high-powered delegation this evening to Zurich, to bring the 2010 World Cup tournament home.
Today we want to say to you, the talented ambassadors of our country that even the most skilled of people will not succeed without positive motivation. But the combination of motivation and talent that you have consistently demonstrated will ensure victory. In you the human spirit reigns supreme and we wish you international success once more in the colours of our Rainbow Nation South Africa.
Thank you.
Contact: Zanele Mngadi
Tel: (012) 300 5311/2
Fax: (012) 300 5781
Cell: 082 781 9332
Email: zanelem@po.gov.za
Issued by: The Presidency
13 May 2004
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