Government has congratulated Team South Africa for flying the flag high at the Commonwealth Games.
South Africa has now collected nine gold medals along with six silver and six bronze medals in their overall tally of 21 medals.
“Government is elated at our star athlete, Caster Semenya’s smashing win in which she broke the world record in the 1500m race and finished time of 4:00.71,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Semenya broke legendary athlete Zola Budd's 34-year-old South African record set in 1984.
“We are proud of all our participants at the Commonwealth games. Their success is a result of hard work, determination and perseverance. Sports is one of the social fabric that binds us together as South Africans and may the success of the South African team inspire aspiring young sports athletes,” said GCIS Acting Director-General Phumla Williams.
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018), which kicked off on 4 April, will run until 15 April.
The Games welcomed more than 6 600 athletes and team officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories to the Gold Coast and event cities Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville, to share in the celebration of sport, entertainment and culture.
The largest sporting event to be staged in Australia this decade, the GC2018, will feature the largest integrated sports program in Commonwealth Games history, comprising 18 sports and seven para-sports.
Beach Volleyball, Para Triathlon and Women’s Rugby Sevens will make their Commonwealth Games debuts and for the first time at a Commonwealth Games, an equal number of men’s and women’s medal events will be contested.
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) was established in January 2012. – SAnews.gov.za
