Question NW1212 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
21 May 2021 - NW1212
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether, in light of the outrage regarding the tracksuits worn by Team SA at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, his department intervened to ensure that a similar mistake does not occur at the upcoming Olympics; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No. The Department did not intervene, as this is an administrative matter the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee is empowered to deal with.
Notwithstanding the latter, SASCOC indicated that they have secured a sponsorship from Mr Price Sport, with regards to the kit for the Tokyo Games. As part of the process the athletes have joined the Mr Price Sport design team to finalise the design of the kit. The kit design will therefore have full input from the Athletes who will be wearing it. SASCOC also indicated that the EThekwini Municipality has also provided professional designers to join the Mr Price Sport Team to design the opening ceremony outfits.