London Olympic Games

2012-07-27T12:00:00 - 2012-08-12T12:00:00

News from the Olympic Games
Magnificent Fridays
Ekhaya programme
Team SA

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games takes place from 25 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England in the United Kingdom. The associated Paralympics takes place from 29 August to 9 September 2012.

News from the Olympic Games

Team SA comes home with six medals from the Olympic games: three gold, two silver and one bronze. This is South Africa's best performance since being re-admitted to the Olympic Games, placing the country 24th on the medals table.

Middle-distance runner Caster Semenya gave South Africans plenty to smile about as she bagged silver in the women's 800m final on Saturday night.

South Africa is proud to have acquired another medal, the first bronze from Bridgitte Hartley at the Olympic Games, in the women's kayak single K1 500m race at Eton Dorney on 9 August.

Oscar Pistorius made history at the London 2012 Olympics on Saturday by becoming the first amputee athlete to compete in an athletics event at the Olympic Games. Sadly he did not make it to the finals.

South Africa's swimming sensation Chad le Clos clinched a silver medal in the 100 metre butterfly event at the London 2012 Olympics on Friday night. For the latest results, see the individual events.

The South African rowers in the men's lightweight four - Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Brittain, John Smith and James Thompson - will be bringing back South Africa's third gold medal.

On 31 July Chad le Clos won the gold medal in the men's 200 m butterfly, bringing the total for South Africa to two gold medals. The first gold medal was won by Cameron van der Burg for the men's 100 m breaststroke.


South Africa's latest gold medal hero Chad le Clos. Chad won a gold medal in the 200 m men's butterfly event, beating the United States' Michael Phelps into second place. (Photo: Chad le Clos Facebook fan page)	South Africa's gold medal hero Cameron van der Burgh. He won a gold medal for South Africa and also set the new world record in the men's 100 m breaststroke when he won the final in winning the final in 58.46 seconds.

Speeches and statements

Government welcome Team SA as they arrive from the Olympics today, 14 August
Premier Noxolo Kiviet on Anaso Jobodwana's Olympics performance, 10 August
Minister Fikile Mbalula congratulates Bridgitte Hartley for winning bronze medal, 9 August
Minister Fikile Mbalula congratulates rowing team on winning gold, 2 August
Premier Nomvula Mokonyane congratulates South Africa's rowing team, 2 August
Parliament congratulates Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh on winning gold medals,2 August
Premier Nomvula Mokonyane congratulates Chad Le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh, 1 August
President Jacob Zuma on South Africa winning second gold medal, 1 August
Sport and Recreation on South Africa's second gold medal, 1 August
Sport and Recreation on Cameron van der Burgh visiting Ekhaya Centre, 31 July
Minister Fikile Mbalula on South Africa's second gold medal, 31 July
Minister Fikile Mbalula congratulates Cameron Van Den Burgh for winning gold medal, 30 July
Minister Fikile Mbalula opens Ekhaya Hospitality Centre at London Olympics, 27 July
The South African High Commission welcomes the SA Olympic Team to London, 26 July
Minister Fikile Mbalula: Team South Africa send-off dinner to London Olympic Games, 18 July

South African Government News Agency

Team SA stars overwhelmed by support, 14 August
Semenya scoops silver, 12 August
Cabinet commends Blade Runner's Olympic debut, 10 August
Semenya advances to women's 800m final, 10 August
President Zuma congratulates SA athletes, 9 August
Heroes' welcome for SA swimming champs, 9 August
SA holding thumbs for Semenya, 8 August
Blade runner makes history at London Olympics, 5 August
Another medal for le Clos!, 4 August
Motlanthe praises Team SA, 3 August
Mbalula hopes for more medals, 3 August
Third Gold for South Africa!, 2 August
Cabinet commends Team SA, 2 August
Le Clos pulls out of 200m individual medley final, 2 August
SA is land of gold after second Olympic medal, 1 August
SA celebrates second Olympic gold medal, 1 August
Cameron van der Burgh visits Ekhaya Centre, 31 July
Team SA worthy of gold – Mbalula, 30 July
All eyes on Olympic opening ceremony, 27 July

SouthAfrica.info

Olympic Team South Africa shines!, 13 August
So close for SA MTB star at Olympics, 13 August
Olympic silver for Caster Semenya, 12 August
So close for Viljoen, Semenya on song, 10 August
Canoe sprint bronze for South Africa, 9 August
SA strong on Olympic athletics track, 9 August
Potential SA medallists into Olympic finals, 8 August
Oscar lives Olympic 400m 'dream', 5 August
Catch Olympic heroes in action in SA, 3 August
South Africa's new 'awesome foursome', 2 August
South African swimmers keep flag flying, 2 August
Le Clos stuns Phelps, wins Olympic gold, 1 August
South African rowers shine at Olympics, 1 August
Heads held high, Banyana exit Olympics, 1 August
Lusizi revives SA boxing's Olympic hopes, 31 July
Van der Burgh captures Olympic gold, 30 July
Ekhaya: SA's London 'home' now open, 27 July
SA flag flies over Olympic Village, 24 July

Photo galleries

Minister Mbalula officially opens Ekhaya Hospitality Centre, 27 July
Team SA leaves for London 2012 Olympic Games, 19 July
President Jacob Zuma wishes Team SA well in upcoming 2012 London Olympics, 12 July

Videos

Magnificent Fridays

The Department of Sport and Recreation (SRSA) launched the Magnificent Fridays on 14 January 2011 and is driving the concept with the Department of Arts and Culture, municipalities and the national federations. The campaign is aimed at generating interest for the Olympic Games, promote nation building, sport development and participation to a wider audience. South Africans from all walks of life are encouraged to wear their sports kit in support of the Olympic Team.

Ekhaya programme

Ekhaya is a hospitality and exhibition centre serving as a home away from home for South Africans in London, athletes and guests at the 2012 London Olympics. Sport and Recreation South Africa put together an exciting programme of activities to drum up support for Team South Africa.

Brochure on Ekhaya. Home away from Home[PDF]
Film screenings [PDF]

The Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula officially opened Ekhaya on 26 July.

Team SA

A team of 125 athletes (67 male and 58 female) left for London, with their locally branded South African Airways Airbus 340-300 aeroplane, together with 46 officials serving in various wide-ranging categories in each sport code. Some of the athletes representing South Africa are Khotso Mokoena, Oscar Pistorious and the ladies football team Banyana Banyana.
>> More profiles

The London Olympic Games official website has a special section devoted to South Africa, with details of the athletes. You can follow your favourite athletes using a provisional schedule for SA athletes.

>> Team SA on Facebook

History of the Olympic Games

How much do you know about South Africa's history at the Olympics? Catch up on the records and the trivia in the third of three articles covering the 17 Olympic Games the country has competed in. (Source: SouthAfrica.info)