Government congratulates SA athletes

4 November 2013

Government congratulates the South African athletes for their outstanding performance at the New York City Marathon yesterday. South African athletes excelled in the marathon, in which over 50 000 people participated.
Paralympian Ernst van Dyk won second place in the wheelchair division, Lusapho April came third in the men’s elite category and two other South Africans finished in the top 60 in the hand cycle division.

GCIS Acting CEO Phumla Williams said, “We are proud of our athletes.  Their hard work and determination have yielded positive results. This is a demonstration that people with disabilities also have equal opportunities to participate at any sporting level. The number of people with disabilities involved in sport and physical recreation is steadily increasing in South Africa and sport can reduce stigma, act as an instrument of socialisation, and empower persons with disabilities.”
“Their dedication, bravery and determination to overcome adversity are an inspiration to us all. Their accomplishments have shown us that disability is not a barrier to achieving one’s dreams,” said Williams.
 
Enquiries:
Phumla Williams
Cell: 083 501 0139

Issued by: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)