Only family members, close friends, and officials were on hand at the airport to greet the team. While the medal count was modest, there was a notable improvement in the number of SA athletes reaching finals in their individual events.
Team leader Jean Verster said the performance reflects progress and a long-term vision for the sport. “Our goal as we prepare for Los Angeles 2028 is to build greater depth. This was our largest team ever, with 49 athletes. By comparison, Australia had 86 qualifiers. We hope to see more athletes qualifying in future championships. Of course, we aim for more medals, but you can’t win medals if you don’t have finalists,” Verster explained.
Though the overall medal haul was limited, the number of athletes making it to the finals indicates that Athletics SA is gradually strengthening its competitive base ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
