Roos ready for Paralympics

2008-08-29 15:04

East London - Border's David Roos is ready for the big event - his third Paralympics after Sydney in 2000 and Athens four years ago.

After Team South Africa's poor showing at the recent Olympic Games where only one silver medal was won, attention shifts to the upcoming Paralympics which starts in Beijing next week.

The squad leaves Johannesburg at the weekend after a farewell dinner on Friday night. The opening ceremony is scheduled for September 6.

Roos, one of the members of the Track and Field contingent, feels he is completely ready.

"I'm feeling good, my training has gone well and all the hard work has been done," Roos said.

He will compete in the 200m and 100m sprints, as well as the long jump and high jump.

He feels that, although the opposition will be tough, the SA Paralympics team has sufficient talent to garner plenty of medals.

"We will be competing against the best in the world, but I feel this is one of the strongest disabled teams South Africa has ever had," Roos ventured.

"But," he cautioned, "you can train as hard as you can but anything can happen on the track - there's no guarantee - it's definitely not a walk in the park."

Roos mentioned the recent case of Asafa Powell of Jamaica, who was expected to win gold in the 100m sprint at the Beijing Games, but instead was outshone by teammate Usain Bolt.

"I've had plenty of support from the people of East London, and I only hope I won't disappoint them," the modest Roos said.

"Although I'm nervous, I'm really looking forward to the Games."

- SAPA