Road Closures and Parking for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge Maritzburg: Sunday 18 August

Plan ahead to make sure you are on time for the upcoming Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, which takes place this Sunday 18 August, around Alexandra Park and the outskirts of the CBD, participants are requested to note the road closures so as to avoid traffic congestion on race day.

‘Both distances start at 8am, and we are encouraging everyone to be aware of their routes so as not to miss the start,” says Race Director, Brad Glasspoole.

The start line is near Maritzburg College, both the 10km and 5km events’ routes are “out-and-back” beginning in Princess Margaret Drive and finishing at The Oval, Cricket Stadium. A field of 3,500 is expected, with their supporters. Glasspoole says, ‘We advise participants to leave home early to avoid traffic and request that all take note of the road closure times, so they can get to the start line promptly!’

The road closures and times are as follows:
Sunday, August 18
Balmoral Drive - closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Princess Margaret Drive - closed from 03:00 – 11: 00
Park Drive between Princess Margaret Drive and Princess Elizabeth Drive - closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Princess Elizabeth Drive - closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Park Drive from College Road to Princess Margaret Drive - closed from 07:00 – 11:00
Alexandra Road from Cross Road to Alan Paton Avenue - closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 10:00
Alan Paton Avenue from Alexandra Road to Burger Street - closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 08:30
Alexandra Road between Alan Paton Avenue and Jesmond Road – closed in both directions from 07:30 until approximately 08:45
West Street / College Road (away from the CBD) closed from 07:00 till approximately 10:00

Residents in the New Scotland Road area of Pelham will be able to access their residence from Campsdrift Road and egress via College Road towards the CBD between 07:00 and 10:00.

Parking for the event is on the soccer fields off Prince Charles Drive (next to the BMX track) which can be accessed via Alan Paton Avenue / Chief Albert Luthuli Street (near Alexandra Baths) into Park Drive.

Additional Parking will be on the fields adjacent to Kershaw Park Tennis Club off Chief Albert Luthuli Street.

Online entries are closed, but manual entries can still be done at Race Registration on Friday 16 August from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday 17 August from 10am to 3pm at The Oval Cricket Ground, Alexandra Park.

The field is limited to 3,500 participants.

For more info visit the official race on https://sparwomensrace.co.za/maritzburg/

Top image: Participants competing in last year's Maritzburg SPAR Women's Challenge. Please note road closures for this year's event taking place around the Capital on Sunday 18 August.

Photo credit: Rogan Ward

It wasn’t the result she was hoping for, but Julia Vincent wrapped up her impressive diving career with an 11th place in the Olympic 3m springboard final on Friday.

Vincent had already made history in becoming the first South African to reach an Olympic diving final and after her third dive – a reverse 2½ somersaults pike – which scored her 66.00 points, the 29-year-old was lying in third position.

Her second dive – a back 2½ somersaults pike – was her best of the day, scoring an impressive 67.50 points – her highest total of the three-day competition.

But two disappointing dives to finish meant that Vincent dropped down to 11th spot overall by the end of the afternoon.

The US-based star said afterwards she had tried to keep her mind off the results while the competition was going on.

“I actually thought I was doing a pretty good job… I had no idea where I was after my third round until I just found out now,” she said.

“I wasn't even really watching results, but I knew that I was doing OK. I had a lot of adrenaline and that’s sometimes hard to contain. It is sports, it's how it goes, but I still feel proud, it's just obviously it's tough because it's not what I was hoping for.

“I don't normally get such good take-offs… in competition normally I'm fighting for my life because I'm just trying to make sure I find vertical on the bottom and, like I said, I think adrenaline was definitely pumping today.”

Speaking about her fourth dive, which scored just 38.75 points, Vincent added: “I actually thought I had it, I thought I had it till the end. I just came around and made a small error which takes you a little over, but I really had it until the last millisecond of the dive.”

Vincent said before the competition that this would be her last. She has been by far the most successful South African, competing in three World Championship finals and now one Olympic final. She said she hoped she had been an inspiration to the next generation of divers in the country.

“That's always the goal is to push boundaries and inspire younger generations because I think when you haven't seen it in your country before, people don't believe that it's possible.

“So if I've inspired one little girl to follow their dream, that's enough for me. It means a lot to get to this point and be the person to do that, just because I've put in so much work and I've been really faithful all through it.

“I've always believed that my time will come, and who knows maybe it still will come, but for right now it won't and it didn't today,” she said.

Photo credits: Anton Geyser/TeamSA

South African diver Julia Vincent finished 13th overall in the 3m springboard preliminaries on Wednesday to book a spot in her first Olympic semifinal.

Vincent is competing at her third Olympic Games but never made it through the preliminaries in Tokyo or Rio – finishing well out of contention in both, in 25th and 29th place respectively.

The 29-year-old said these would be her last Games and she has set her sights firmly on the final, having reached the 2023 World Championship final last year in Fukuoka and then again this February in Doha.

On Wednesday, she got off to a great start, scoring 61.50 off her first of five dives to sit in joint ninth position at the end of the round and lay a great platform for the remainder of the preliminaries.

Vincent needed to finish in the top 18 to progress to tomorrow’s semifinals. Her best dive of the afternoon was her third one – reversed two and a half somersaults, piked – for which she scored 63.00. And with scores of 54.00 for her second, 46.50 for her fourth and 58.50 for the fifth, she finished with a total of 283.5 to advance in 13th place.

Speaking after the competition, Vincent said she always finds the preliminaries the toughest round of the competition but was thrilled with her performance. “So much better [than Tokyo]. Big relief off my shoulders. I think the hardest part is just staying steady and making sure that I advance and go on to the next round.

“That's what I'm trying to do, just keep it even keel as much as I can, but I'm very happy with that… I felt very, very nervous this morning and then I came out to warm up and I felt pretty good.”

Speaking about her lowest-scoring dive, Vincent explained: “It’s so frustrating because I love that dive actually. But it'll come when it needs to come.”

As for the great form she has been enjoying in the last year, finishing ninth at the Doha World Championships and 10th in Fukuoka, Vincent added: “I think I'm definitely in a different place in my training than I have been, and hopefully my emotional maturity as well, and I'm really just trying to have a great time.

“My main goal is to have a great time and really stay present, just take it one dive at a time. So I feel pretty good physically and mentally.”
The 3m springboard semifinals are scheduled for 10am tomorrow with a top-12 place required to advance to Friday’s final.

Photo credits: Anton Geyser/TeamSA

At Harrington House, we're more than just a venue; we're a family name steeped in history and love.

It's a place where laughter echoes through the gardens, and shared moments become cherished memories. Here, friends and families gather not just to celebrate, but to connect and create stories that will last a lifetime. 

Come, be a part of our legacy, and make your own beautiful moments. 

Weddings and events both big and small, we can assure you they will be unforgettable.

Call: 066 473 8699
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rebecca Meder had to wait a week before she dived in for her first swim of the Paris Olympic Games but made sure she’d get a second one by booking a spot in the 200m individual medley semifinals on Friday night.

Heading in as the 16th fastest qualifier after swimming 2:11.96 in her morning heat, Meder did exceptionally well to better her time in the evening, finishing fifth in her semifinal in a new national record of 2:10.67.

That saw her finishing 11th overall and was not quite quick enough to see her through to Saturday’s final.

Speaking after the race, the 22-year-old said: “I think there's only a certain percentage of people who can say they got a PB at the Olympic Games and, not that I was ever going to bring this up, but just under three and a half months ago I was sitting in the hospital with a ruptured appendix, and now I'm 11th in the world at the Olympic Games.

“I think I set myself those scary dreams and I can either look back and go, ah, I never achieved it, or wow, I did everything I possibly could have done to try and get that dream. And it just makes me so hungry. I was seeded 20th coming in and to finish 11th overall with a PB in a semifinal, it's not quite the result I was wanting, but at the same time I couldn't have asked for more.”

Earlier in the day, four-time Olympic medallist Chad le Clos’s campaign at the Paris Games came to an end after the veteran finished second in his 100m butterfly heat in 52.24 seconds and 24th overall to miss out on a semifinal spot.

Le Clos picked up an injury just a few weeks before the Games but admitted that making the final was always going to be tough.

“I want to make it very clear on the record, on my best day in my best time, that would have been hard,” he said. “I would have probably made the final sure, but it would be a hell of a swim for me to get on that podium, so I knew I was up against it.

“I still believed. Hey, I'm a crazy little boy… I thought I was going to get up there,” he added.

“I thought I would make the top 16 and have a grace of God lucky touch, lucky everything, make top eight and even more luck for the final would have been unbelievable. But look, it wasn't meant to be. Sometimes these things happen for a reason.

“I want to be competitive, make no mistake. I didn't come here for the t-shirts. This was not good. I was half expecting this because of outside circumstances. But, hey, if everything was sweet, I'd be in tears right now for not making it back [to the semifinals]. I'm okay right now. It is what it is.”

Competing in the same heat was Matthew Sates, who was disappointed to finish in seventh place in 54.53 seconds and 35th overall.

“I don't know what to put it on, to be honest, I can't really blame anything,” said Sates afterwards.

“I'll just try and look ahead more after the games, but I have to make some changes and stuff.”
There are two more days of swimming action to come in Paris, but no more South African swimmers competing.

Next up will be Julia Vincent in the 3m springboard diving, which gets underway with the preliminaries next Wednesday, 7 August.

Image: Rebecca Meder

Photo credits: Anton Geyser/TeamSA

Supplied.

Together, we're growing skills to help little people thrive...

“I didn’t know anything,” the new mom blurted out to the other caregivers at the Fundanathi, “all I knew about caring for my baby was to put her on my back as I continued with my work - cooking, cleaning, washing. When she cried, I fed her or changed her nappy. That’s all.”

6 months ago, all of that changed. Under the loving and non-judgemental guidance of her mentor, Thandi and her sister are now playing constantly with their kids. “There is no rest,” mock-complains her sister, laughing. “You can’t even watch TV - when he builds a bridge with blocks from the toy bag, you have to get up, look at the bridge, talk about the bridge!” Glowing with pride at the new skills their kids are mastering, it’s their own growing confidence that they have the power to prepare them for a better future that will keep bringing hope to these families.

“I used to make excuses that I’m too busy - now I enjoy playing almost more than my child!”

 

Connect with iThemba Projects on 031 020 0200 or 082 789 5821.

Let's Play! The Kids & Teen Zone is back again this year - a vibrant and safe space packed with a fantastic array of inflatables, thrilling rides and engaging activities that promise hours of fun and adventure.

ENTRY FEE R100 entrance fee per car (payable when you leave and allows you to return)
DATES Hilton Arts Festival 2–4 August
MORE INFORMATION Programme: www.hiltonfestival.co.za

International study reveals those shark species most affected by fishing are most needed for healthy oceans.

FIND STUDY HERE: Ecological roles and importance of sharks in the Anthropocene Ocean | Science

According to new research, shark conservation must go beyond simply protecting shark populations — it must prioritize protecting the ecological roles of sharks.

Over the past couple years an international team of shark scientists – funded by Shark Conservation Fund – conducted a groundbreaking analysis which reveals that those sharks most affected by fishing are most needed for healthy oceans.

The study, led by Florida International University published in the journal Science which illustrates the outsized role that sharks play in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health. We now have clear evidence that sharks play a far more complex and vital role than previously thought. They are not merely apex predators; sharks are ecosystem architects, nutrient transporters, and key players in maintaining the delicate balance of ocean biodiversity.

To truly safeguard our oceans, we need to adopt a more holistic approach that places sharks at the center of conservation efforts. This means we must fundamentally change how we manage shark populations, including a focus on preserving the role sharks play in marine ecosystems, not merely their abundance. This landmark study offers a blueprint for marine conservationists, philanthropists, policymakers, and the public for achieving and sustaining ocean health.

The largest sharks of many of the biggest species, such as tiger sharks and great whites, play an oversized role in healthy oceans, but they are often the most affected by fishing. The big sharks help maintain balance through their eating habits. Sometimes their sheer size is enough to scare away prey that could over-consume seagrass and other plant life needed for healthy oceans. Sharks can also help shape and maintain balance from the bottom-up. That means a variety of sharks in a variety of sizes are needed, yet their many and diverse contributions are under threat from overfishing, climate change, habitat loss, energy mining, shipping activities and more.

"Management should focus on restoring and maintaining sharks' ecological roles, not just their numbers,” comments co-author on the study and marine biologist, Dr Alison Kock of South African National Parks. “Well-enforced Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that protect wide-ranging predators, with the help of modern technology, offer a promising solution. Engaging public support and incorporating local cultural values into management will also foster a greater appreciation for sharks and their essential ecological functions, especially in the face of widespread human impact on the oceans."

“Decreasing the extraction of sharks and rays is regarded as a primary tool to begin the recovery of sharks globally,” comments Senior Scientist Dr Jennifer Olbers of WILDTRUST. “Recognising this, it is essential for South Africa to adopt a multipronged approach for conservation of marine species. Protecting the ecological roles that sharks play in our waters will gain so much more for our shark conservation efforts. Protecting the species, their habitats and their life history stages, such as aggregation areas and gestation periods, is essential for their survival,” said Olbers.

Besides helping to maintain balance within the food web, reef sharks feed in offshore waters and bring nutrients back to the reef. Others move nutrients around that are used at the base of the food chain. Sharks can also serve as food for other species and even as scratching posts for fish to remove parasites. The problem is shark abundance has plummeted by 71 percent for oceanic species in the past 50 years. Populations of the top five reef shark species have been depleted by 63 percent. As their numbers plummet, their important roles in ocean health are also lost.

“It’s time to have a conversation about everything sharks are doing to maintain ocean health so we can better prioritize conservation efforts and have the biggest impact,” said Simon Dedman, researcher at Florida International University and lead author of the study.

The issue of shark conservation becomes all the more critical as global temperatures increase, leading some sharks to head into new areas where they can find the temperatures, they can thrive in.

“This study verifies what we’ve long suspected – sharks are critical to ocean health,” said Lee Crockett, executive director of the Shark Conservation Fund which funded the study. “This landmark study serves as confirmation that marine conservationists, philanthropists, policymakers, and the public alike need to recognize that sharks are keystone species that have a now-proven significant effect on marine environments.”

With the expansion of blue economy industries like aquaculture and tourism, people’s encounters with sharks will likely increase. Finding a balance that protects the sharks most needed for healthy oceans is hitting a critical point.

“National and international policy must focus on actions that rebuild populations and restore sharks' functional roles,” said Mike Heithaus, study co-author and FIU marine ecologist. “That requires action to increase both spatial measures like Marine Protected Areas and fisheries management measures like catch/size limits and gear limitations. If people want healthy oceans, we need healthy shark populations.”

Image supplied: Great White
Image Credit: shutterstock_213109039

SA diver Julia Vincent has booked a place in the Olympic 3m springboard final.

The 29-year-old needed a top-12 finish in the semifinals to advance and made absolutely sure of her progress by finishing sixth overall with a total of 297.30 points on Thursday.

Just like in the preliminaries, Vincent’s third dive was her best – her reverse two and a half somersault pike scoring a total of 64.50.

She also produced an impressive final dive, a forward two and a half somersaults one twist pike, scoring 63.00 points to secure that sixth spot – a significant jump up from her 13th place in the preliminaries.

Vincent had said before the start of the competition that she is usually most nervous for the first round so she was caught off-guard by a few butterflies ahead of the semifinal.

“I was a little more nervous than I was expecting, just knowing what's on the line, wanting to make sure that I made the final,” she admitted afterwards. “But I also felt pretty steady. The same as yesterday, I just wanted to stay steady, survive, and advance. That's all these rounds are for so I’m pretty happy with that.”

The US-based diver said she was pleased with how she bounced back after a less-than-perfect opening dive which scored the lowest of her five with 51.00 points.

“My first dive I would call a little bit of a mess, so I was trying not to watch the scores too much until I had kind of got my rhythm again. But then towards the end, I knew I just needed something steady on my head. Nothing special, just do my dive, and I'd be good to go through.”

The focus now shifts to tomorrow’s final. While Vincent has competed in three World Championships finals, she never progressed past the preliminaries at her previous two Olympics.

Asked what her preparation will involve ahead of a first Olympic final, she reckoned: “I'll go see my family and my friends and then I'll go and rest, get some food. There's not much to do between now and the final. I think all the work has been done. So we're just resting and making sure my body is ready to go for tomorrow.”

Vincent said having her family and friends in the stadium, unlike in Tokyo where crowds were banned because of the Covid pandemic, has made all the difference.

“It's so nice to hear them in the crowd and they're doing a really good job being loud, even though there's not that many of them,” she explained. “I just love hearing that. It makes me feel like they're the only people in the crowd, which is exactly how I like it. It makes a big difference for me on the board.”

As for what her target is heading into tomorrow’s final, Vincent reckoned it would be business as usual.

“I think I'm going to try to do the same thing, stay steady. Usually when I try to do too much, that's when things go wrong, so I'm just going to almost pretend like I'm just surviving and advancing again and see how that works for me.”

The 3m springboard final is scheduled for 3pm tomorrow.

Photo credits: Anton Geyser/TeamSA

Finally it's taken shape and we think it's been well worth the wait. A newly built and much improved play area. Here's to many beautiful days enjoying this fun space.

Big thanks to the team behind making this magical space happen.

Bookings: 033 329 5200

MiTH 14 August 2024

INFO: 082 331 7271

ENTRANCE: R50.00 - Cash or Zapper at the Door

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

8:45pm: Over The Edge

Over The Edge is a four-piece contemporary band whose original music is a fusion of diverse musical influences, with a sound that is both compelling and thought-provoking. Driving rhythms, strong melodies and vocal harmonies provide an engaging listening experience. Pop, ska, rock and reggae are melded, sometimes with an African flavour. Their lyrics provide social and political commentary, leaning at times towards social protest. Kevin is on guitar and vocals, Mark is on vocals and bass, Ashleigh is on keyboards and vocals, and Greg is on drums. All the members have a rich history of involvement in various bands from KwaZulu Natal and Botswana. Over the Edge is based in Kloof, Durban and will be bringing their unique sound to MiTH for what promises to be a fantastic evening.

7:45pm: Roly Struckmeyer

Having been a fixture on the music scene in KwaZulu Natal since the late 80s, Pietermaritzburg-born acoustic guitarist and vocalist Roly Struckmeyer started playing the guitar at age seven. His music career began when he returned from England in 1989 to form a band known as House On The Hill. During his career as a performer, Roly has toured and performed with names such as Wonderboom and Landscape Prayers. He has also featured at Splashy Fen. Roly worked with Syd Kitchen in the early 2000s, and with Perez from 2001. He did a solo album in 2007, and has spent the decade and more in cover bands – No Fly Zone, A-frame and more recently, Rustic Spring. Roly is excited to still be playing and creating music, and to be back at MiTH.

7pm: Kevin Gurney

Kevin Gurney is a guitarist and singer from Eston who has been playing and performing for several years. He plays a range of acoustic folk, and blues songs - including some originals. His influences include legends such as Eric Clapton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Marley, and Bob Dylan, and more current artists like Benjamin Tod, Tyler Childers, The Hill Country Devil, and Mumford and Sons.

ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R50 at the door. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. A cash bar is available.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

'Caring for Our 3 and 4-Year-Olds at Hilton Gardens Children's Academy

At HGCA, we provide a nurturing and engaging environment for our 3 and 4-year-olds. Our Montessori inspired curriculum sparks curiosity and fosters foundational skills through playful learning. We focus on creating a safe space for each child to explore and grow, with individualized attention to support their social, emotional, and cognitive development.'

Contacts Details for Hilton Gardens Children's Academy

071 085 5215 (School hours)

OR 078 526 6715 / 063 296 9141

THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY – How aware are you?
How aware are you about the Private Security Industry in South Africa? At KSS, we take compliance, as well as client and staff welfare seriously. Below are some links to recent and interesting articles pertaining to the Private Security Industry that may ALARM you. Please take 5 minutes to read and digest.

https://www.protectionweb.co.za/industry/name-and-shame-consumers-who-hire-unregistered-security-companies/

https://sundayworld.co.za/news/security-guards-vow-to-fight-to-bitter-end-over-pension-funds/

KSS ticks all the boxes when it comes to statutory compliance within the security industry. Not only are you, our clients, safer with us, but so too are all our staff and the community. Please share this information so that more people can understand the dynamics of the security space in South Africa.

MEET THE TEAM
KSS welcomes two new faces to our Team. See below.

Please be advised that KSS has dismissed some technical staff over the past few months, and they may approach our KSS clients looking for private work. We advise against this. Please contact Sashen should you have any concerns in this regard on 082 6736 773.

FIRES
KSS extends their condolences to all those families affected by the devasting fires in KZN over the past month. The Lions River Fire Protection Association has started a fund to help the families of the fire fighters who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. The details are listed below.

FNB
Account: 62035520388
Branch: 220725
Ref.: FIRE FIGHTER

We urge all residents and businesses to exercise extreme caution during this winter as there are severe fire warnings in place.

Familiarize yourself with emergency numbers in the event of a fire and medical emergency OR call the KSS 24/7 Control Room on 033 3305911 and we will assist you with the necessary support.

HOT ITEMS
Scrap metal
Copper pipes
Solar panels
Cable
Shoplifting
Ladders
Security lights
Dustbins

 

CONTACT DETAILS
Gary (Owner): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 082 8947 628
Renee (Business Manager): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 063 2921 240
Sashen (Manager Technical): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 082 6736 773
Pat (Manager Operations): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 082 6132 995
Local 24/7 Control Room: 033 330 5911

All three of South Africa’s swimmers in action at the Olympic Games in Paris on Wednesday night progressed to their respective finals with Tatjana Smith taking a step closer to completing her quest for double gold in the French capital.

The newly crowned 100m breaststroke champion was beaten to the wall by American Kate Douglass in her 200m breaststroke semifinal, finishing second in 2:19.94, but was nevertheless pleased with the result.

“It was amazing… I'm so happy with that time so it doesn't really matter where I came,” said Smith after the race. “It was such a good race, I think that's a part of what sport is, pushing each other. It really just brings out the best version of me and I can only be happy.”

Also making her way through to her second consecutive Olympic 200m breaststroke final was fellow Pretoria swimmer Kaylene Corbett (Pictured here), who shared the pool with Smith when she won gold in Tokyo in world record time three years ago.

Corbett also finished second in her semifinal behind Dutchwoman Tes Schouten in a time of 2:22.87.

Smith progressed to the final as the second-fastest qualifier while Corbett went through as fourth fastest.

Corbett was thrilled that her semifinal went much better than her morning heat.

“I was a little bit worried after this morning,” she said. “I really am just happy that I could push through another set, another 200 breaststroke and I think it went really well tonight, this is the fastest I've been since Tokyo, so I'm very, very happy with that time, slowly but surely chipping away at what I want one day. There's definitely still a lot of fuel in the tank for a longer career. It's not necessarily fuel in the tank for tomorrow, but I'm just really happy that I get to share this moment [with Tatjana].”

Meanwhile, Pieter Coetzé booked his spot in his second final of the Games by finishing second behind Switzerland’s Roman Mityukov in his 200m backstroke semifinal in a time of 1:56.09. That sees him through to Thursday night’s final as the third-fastest qualifier.

“This morning was way more smooth and obviously some races are going to hurt more than others,” he said afterwards. “I definitely felt it a bit tonight, but I think with the rest that I'll get now before the final the body will recover and I'll be ready tomorrow.”

Asked what time he thought it might take to reach the podium, the 20-year-old reckoned: “Everyone's always talking about times, but I can promise you none of these swimmers care about their times. Maybe in the back of their minds they do, but they’d rather swim a slower time and win a medal than swim their PB.

“Speaking for myself, swim the PB and get fifth place, I would rather swim slow and get a medal. You just never know what to expect, I'm just going to let it happen.”

Olympic swimming action continues at La Defense Arena in Paris on Thursday morning with Matthew Sates lining up in heat 2 of the 200m individual medley at 11.52am.

Coetzé’s 200m backstroke final is scheduled for 8.38pm tomorrow evening while Smith and Corbett are set to compete in the 200m breaststroke final at 9.11pm. These times are subject to change.

Photo credits: Anton Geyser/TeamSA

Supplied.

Midlands Camino Packages Outlined

6 day/6 night walk on a set departure:
Sunday, 13 October – Saturday, 19 October 2024
Monday, 14 October – Sunday, 20 October 2024
Price R12,000 per person sharing a room for 6 nights.
Price R18,000 per person in a single room for 6 nights. Subject to availability at the time of the booking.
Includes: all meals, accommodation; entrance fees where relevant, conservation fees. Transport will be provided back to Nottingham Road at the end of the walk.

Tailored overnight walk.
R1,000 per overnight sharing and R1,000 per day walk. Single room prices on request and subject to availability at the time of booking.

Day Walk only.
R1,000 per day. Includes lunch and transport back to point of departure.
Day 1 October 14 – Nottingham Road to Rosetta. 20km
Day 2 October 15 - Rosetta to Kamberg. 29km
Day 3 October 16 - Kamberg to Lower Loteni. 21km
Day 4 October 17 - Lower Loteni to Fort Nottingham. 26km
Day 5 October 18 - Fort Nottingham to iNholsane. 22km
Day 6 October 19 - iNholsane Hike. 6km – R100 – pay on the day

For more details, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Smith scorches to Olympic 100m breaststroke gold in Paris

Tatjana Smith stormed to Team SA’s first medal in the Olympic pool in Paris on Monday night, claiming gold in the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:05.28.

The 27-year-old was fourth at the turn but rocketed back into medal contention in the second 50m to go one better than the silver she won in the event in Tokyo three years ago.

China’s Qianting Tang, who has swum the fastest 100m breaststroke time in the world this year, had to be content with silver in 1:05.54 with Ireland’s Mona McSharry taking the bronze in 1:05.59.

“I had no idea where I was, literally most of the race,” admitted Smith afterwards. “I actually didn't think I medalled because when I turned to my left, the two blocks next to me both had lights on and it felt like someone else on the other side touched first.

“So I actually didn't think I was medalling.”

“My main goal was just to not do what I did in Tokyo and look around, so literally the last 15 metres, I was like, no, close your eyes, let's just go.”

Just one race before Smith’s, Pieter Coetzé competed in his first ever Olympic final, lining up in the 100m backstroke. Having qualified joint third fastest coming into the race, Coetzé was disappointed to miss out on a medal but could nevertheless be proud of blazing to another new African record, finishing fifth in a time of 52.58 seconds.

Italian Thomas Ceccon took the gold in 52.00 with Jiayu Xu claiming silver in 52.32 and American Ryan Murphy the bronze in 52.39

“I’m definitely proud of myself and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to even be here,” said Coetzé afterwards. “So obviously it would have been nice to get a medal, but I can't let that play in my mind too much.”

Coetzé will be back in the pool for the 200m backstroke, which is the event in which he claimed World Championship bronze earlier this year.

“[My speed] is obviously a good sign,” he said. “But I've just got to switch off a little bit now. I'm not going to be thinking about the 200 too much. Right now I'm feeling pretty tired but I'm confident though, I think it will be good.”

As for his Pretoria teammate claiming gold a race after his, Coetzé added: “I'm super happy for her. I was just saying she's a great role model and I've gotten to know her much better on this trip. I love learning from her, so to see that was a big honour for me as well.”

Swimming action continues in Paris on Tuesday with Matthew Sates the only South African in action in the morning heats. He’ll be competing in heat 2 of the 200m butterfly at 11.03am with a potential semifinal in the evening session.

Photo credits: Anton Geyser/TeamSA

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