Question NW1571 to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
02 December 2019 - NW1571
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
What are the specific circumstances in the Republic that are different from those of the other countries to motivate the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to set more stringent criteria as set by the International Canoe Federation; (2) whether he has found that it is reasonable and fair to take away the South African athletes hard earned Olympic positions after they got the positions without financial assistance from SASCOC; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what are the reasons that the canoe sprinters are not allowed to participate using their own funding if funding is a problem for SASCOC; (4) whether SASCOC will urgently review their decision and reclaim the positions for the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether SASCOC will allow the athletes to apply from the International Olympic Committee to participate in the 2020 Olympic Games as Authorised Neutral Athletes if SASCOC cannot assist them to participate? NW2897E
Reply:
1. Since Beijing 2008 where South Africa took all athletes who qualified and only got one medal, SASCOC General Assembly took a decision to make the selection policies more stringent in order to ensure that the athletes/teams selected to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games would be more competitive. The more stringent selection policy would contribute to ensuring that South Africa has a better chance of achieving honour for our country by taking those athletes that feature more prominently on the world rankings within their respective codes.
2. The selection policies are decided by engagement and in agreement with the respective national federations. They are not unilaterally decided by SASCOC. Whilst participating at the Olympic and Paralympic Games is admirable it is important that South Africa send a competitive team.
3. It is not a funding issue; the athletes did not qualify as per the agreed policy. Canoeing South Africa, represented by their President negotiated and signed the selection policy with SASCOC. They would then have the duty to communicate this to their athletes. It was only subsequent to the signing of the agreed selection policy that their athletes did not qualify, in terms of the policy. The canoeing fraternity then wanted to change the agreed and signed policy to accommodate those athletes that did not qualify.
4. The Selection Policy and criteria is considered at the SASCOC General Assembly only.
5. As per the Olympic Charter (Article 27, rule 3), SASCOC as the National Olympic Committee of South Africa, in good standing with and recognised by the IOC, is the only one authorised to enter South African athletes to the Olympic Games. The IOC would not accept entries unless they are signed off by the NOC. Only athletes whose NOC’s are suspended are afforded the opportunity to enter as Neutral Athletes.