04 August 2021
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Story Ruan Bruwer
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Photo Supplied
UFS alumnus Gerda Steyn will be running in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Saturday 7 August 2021.
With only one more
Kovsie alumna remaining at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the attention will be fully devoted to
Gerda Steyn running in the marathon on Saturday 7 August 2021.
She was recently in red-hot form. In April, she improved the South African female marathon record by more than a minute.
Wayde van Niekerk, one of the big medal hopes for South Africa, bowed out at the semi-finals in the 400 m.
He had to overcome a number of setbacks over the years and even in the months and weeks leading up to the Games, such as
injuries, travel bans, and cancelled events.
There was also disappointment and heartbreak in Tokyo for a number of former University of the Free State (UFS) students.
The South African sevens team, considered one of the strongest medal contenders, finished fifth after winning the bronze medal at the previous Games.
The team is coached by Neil Powell, and one of the team members was Chris Dry – both UFS alumni. Unfortunately for Powell, he could only join the team for the last match, as he had to be quarantined.
The triathlon team, coached by former Kovsie Kate Murray, could not compete in the team event due to an injury to one of the triathletes.
Furthermore, cyclist Carla Oberholzer had to pull out more than halfway through the race.
There was, however, a shining light in Nicole Erasmus scoring the first goal for the Protea hockey team at the Games, in what was also her 50th international cap. She became a fourth-generation Olympic participant in her family.
Prof Francis Petersen, Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, applauded the Kovsies at the Games.
“As the Kovsie community, we salute you, we acknowledge your hard work, dedication, and achievements on one of the biggest stages of world sport.”
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