Question NW389 to the Minister of Sport and Recreation
24 April 2017 - NW389
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation
(1) Whether the Fencing Federation of South Africa motivated to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) for Juliana Barrett to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games hosted by Brazil; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) what was the criteria set by SASCOC for athletes to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games; (3) did the specified person meet the (a) international federations' and (b) domestic federations' criteria; if so, (i) why was the specified person not allowed to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games and (ii) who made the decision?
Reply:
1. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), together with the National Federations (NFs), set the policy for participation in the Olympic and the Paralympic Games. The policy is signed off by the President representing the respective NF two years prior to any games. Once the selection criteria have been signed off by the NF, the onus is upon the NF to confirm that the athlete has met the International and/or Olympic standards; and on that basis all recommendations are made by the NF to SASCOC that the athlete should be admitted as a member of Team South Africa to participate in the Olympic or Paralympic games.
2. Attached is the criteria (annexure 1)
3. (a) It should be noted that athletes do not automatically qualify for selection as a result of being successful in an African Competition. Also, they are required to be ascribed a certain international ranking in order to qualify for the NF participation.
(b) Refer to (3) (a) and the domestic qualification criteria attached.
All athletes must meet the specified criteria.
The decision as to who will represent South Africa as a member of Team South Africa is done solely on the basis that the athletes meet the required International Qualification criteria as set out in the various Federations’ selection policies with SASCOC.