Adams will go to the Olympics: McKenzie

Sport Minister, Gayton McKenzie, insists that 200m sprinter, Luxolo Adams, will go to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Adams was dropped from the South African team last week to make way for another athlete despite having met the criteria to qualify for the games.

The Minister says he is still awaiting response from the leadership of Athletics South Africa (ASA) and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), but is certain whatever the response is, Adams will be at the Olympics.

“I’ve spoken to Sascoc I’ve spoken to ASA – both Presidents. We must not demoralise young people, that boy comes from the villiage, he qualified. It can’t be a train smash to say, you might not run but we must include you (Adams) in the trip to go because he inspires millions of people where he comes from.”

The Minister has also doubled down on his plan to eradicate the sending of “superfans” on overseas trips to watch national teams.

“If they don’t see a way to take him with, we’ve taken many superfans, why can’t we take super athletes like him?”

The Olympics start next week Thursday and with Adams in his late 20s, this could be his last opportunity to attend the games.

“I will make sure he goes, I can’t say he’s going to run, I have no jurisdiction over that, but he will go. I will remove someone in the department if I have to make space for him. He will go,” insists McKenzie.