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Amakrokokroko in bid for glory
Johannesburg - While the Olympic team has returned from Athens to a heroes' welcome this week, the time has come for the Paralympics team to take centre stage.
The strong Amakrokokroko team will take part in the 2004 Paralympics Games at the ancient original site of the event, which will run from September 17 to 28.
With less than 10 days to go, the team will be having a farewell dinner with deputy president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday.
Team South Africa will be led by Sydney Paralympics 2000 gold medal veterans Michael Louwrens, Zanele Situ, Malcolm Pringle, Nathan Meyer, Fanie Lombaard and Ebert Kleynhans in a well-balanced team combining youth and experience.
The team will represent South Africa in eight sporting codes - athletics, cycling, horse-riding , power-lifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis and tennis.
Disability Sport SA head Peter Goldhawk said the team was expected to do well at the global games.
"The class of 2004 has the potential to surpass the 13 gold medals, 12 silver medals and 13 bronze medals brought home from the Sydney Paralympics, and the inclusion of the likes of 14-year-old Kimberley-based swimmer Charl Bouwer, 17-year-old double leg amputee Oscar Pistorius (athletics), and the 18-year-old power-lifting pair of Chantell Stierman and Annah Mooketsi is a sign of the immense talent that could spearhead South Africa's Paralympics challenges for the future," Goldhawk said.
He added that the country's Paralympics sports stars had continued to shine with world-class performances over the past few months and their passion and commitment for the task fell in line with the fact that against all odds, anything could be achieved.
Goldhawk said he was confident that the 2004 SA Paralympics team would hog the headlines yet again during their Athens campaign.
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