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Team SA for Rio Olympics 2016 announced

14 July 2016

The fun is about to start! We'll be tweeting #teamSArise to bring you all the breaking news pic.twitter.com/qefX6Y5g6Y

— Team Vitality (@TeamVitalitySA) July 14, 2016

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has officially announced the 137 athletes, from a range of sporting disciplines, who will fly the nation's flag high at the 2016 Olympic Games from 5 to 21 August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The stars of Team SA include athletes Caster Semenya, Wenda Nel, Wayde van Niekerk and Stephen Mokoka. All have qualified for more than one event but will concentrate only on their speciality distances.

These are men and women with amazing stories - SASCOC president Mr Gideon Sam. Yes they are #teamSArise @Olympics pic.twitter.com/PwO21Ohbg0

— Team Vitality (@TeamVitalitySA) July 14, 2016

Team SA also has three team sports: the Rugby sevens, the Banyana Banyana women's football side and the under-23 men's football team,

Other sports represented include badminton, equestrian events, golf, judo, rowing and triathlon.

'Showcase the rainbow nation'

In congratulating members of the squad, Sascoc president Gideon Sam told the athletes they had "all earned the ultimate honour of representing your country. We have every faith in you excelling at your various events. Attending the Olympics is the pinnacle of a sportsman's dream. Go and showcase the rainbow nation to the best of your ability."

Olympic Team SA announcement for Rio 2016 #teamSArise @AthleticsSA_ @teamsa16 @SASportsFan1 pic.twitter.com/LrsnRiFOde

— Emile Smith (@milohock9) July 14, 2016

Tubby Reddy, Sascoc CEO and chef de mission, wished the team well in their final preparation for the games. Sascoc, he said, "is confident that the team is the crème de la crème of sporting talent, with most of them having represented the country in international sporting events previously. We therefore wish them well and as the Olympic body we will rally behind you all the way. Do the country proud and go well."

For a full rundown of who's who in Team SA, watch the videos below:

Athletics

Swimming

Football

Rugby Sevens

SouthAfrica.info reporter

Source: News24

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