Question NW674 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
16 April 2024 - NW674
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Who (a) were the key individuals responsible for making decisions regarding Africa’s representation in water Polo for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, (b) has the authority to withdraw South Africa’s water Polo teams from the Olympics after they have qualified, and (c) what criteria was used to inform Swim SA (SSA) that finishing in the top 12 was a requirement. (2). What factors influenced the decisions made regarding Africa’s participation, particularly the lack of invitations to African nations in subsequent Olympic games and (b) how did these decision-makers acquire the authority to shape the aspirations of water Polo players in the Republic and influence sport development across Africa. (3). Whether there was a collaborative process involving board members of SSA in making decisions regarding Olympic participation and representation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Honorable Member should note that :-
1.(a). Participation in the Olympic Games is determined by the relevant International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) regulations and qualification process as determined from time to time in consultation with relevant International Federations (IF), which is the same process followed for Water Polo sport.
(b). South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) in consultation with National federations, have the sole authority for the entry and or withdrawal of athletes and teams from (IOC) International Olympic Committee’s Events.
(c). Following the 2021 Olympic Games and 2023 Fukuoka World Championships, the Swimming South Africa (SSA) High Performance Committee reviewed the performance of all aquatic disciplines, namely (Artistic Swimming, Diving, Open Water Swimming, Swimming and Water polo) in August 2023.
This review was necessary necessitated to ensure that the performance standards of athletes and teams in the SSA Aquatics Disciplines continually improve in relation to international performances and be competitive for Paris 2024 Olympics Games and beyond.
The Criteria adopted is as follows:
Artistic swimming
Achieve a top 20 ranking at Doha World championships 2024 to be eligible for continental qualification.
Diving
Achieve a top 12 ranking at Fukuoka world champs (1st round) or achieve a top 12 ranking at Doha World championships 2024.
Open water
Achieve a top 20 ranking at Doha 2024 World championships to be eligible for a continental qualification.
Swimming
Achieve an Olympic A qualification time standard at the SA Olympic trials in April 2024; should athletes not achieve the Olympic A qualification time standard at the SA Olympic trials in April 2024, the Olympic A qualification time standard achieved during the World Aquatics window period, will be considered. Relay qualification will take place at the 2024 Doha World Championships where the top 13 placed teams will qualify.
Water polo
Achieve a 12th place ranking at Doha World Championships 2024 to be eligible for a continental qualification.
(2)(a). Participation in the Olympic Games is determined by qualification criteria determined by the IOC in consultation with IF which in this case is World Aquatics. Athletes and teams must comply with the IOC qualification standards and are not invited to participate, including the participation of Teams from Africa.
(b). SASCOC as the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Swimming as the National Federation respectively, have authority in relation to the relevant national legislation and affiliation to the IOC and World Aquatics for their related functions in South Africa. As a department we are not in a position to speculate on sport development in Africa.
(3). Yes, there was collaborative process, in that following the review by the SSA High Performance Committee in August 2023, the recommendations were presented to and adopted by the SSA Executive Committee and the General Council at the Annual General Meeting in August 2023.