The South African Swimming Team at the Youth Olympic Games
Young breaststroke sensation Michael Houlie has been named as the South African team’s flag bearer and is one of the four swimmers that represented South Africa at a senior level at this year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
The 18-year-old Houlie, who finished in a creditable sixth place in the 50m breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games, said it was a major honour to be named flag bearer.
“I’ve trained really hard and put in a lot of effort. So the main goal is to get into a final and once I am there everyone has a chance of winning gold,” Houlie said.
“It is an amazing thing to be named flag bearer where I am following on the footsteps of someone like Caster Semenya.”
Female swimmers Duné Coetzee, Kate Beavon and Mariella Venter also featured at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
Coetzee, who was the youngest member of the Commonwealth Games team, will be competing in the 50, 100 and 200m butterfly as well as the 200 and 400m freestyle.
“I know now that at a major international gala you got to swim at your best every time,” the UP-Tuks swimmer said.
“You won’t qualify for a final by saving yourself in the heats. It is flat out from the start. Cameron van der Burgh told me that you always got a chance to win no matter who is swimming next to you.”
The 18-year-old Beavon brings with her a wealth of experience on the senior stage after making her debut at last year’s FINA World Championships in Budapest.
Swimming was the standout South African sports code at the inaugural 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore contributing five individual medals and a relay bronze to the country’s tally.
Youth Olympics ambassador Chad le Clos was the star performer winning the 200m Individual Medley gold and three silver medals.
“We are confident this team have the talent and the ability to make a strong contribution to Team South Africa’s medal tally in Buenos Aires,” said Swimming SA (SSA) CEO, Shaun Adriaanse.
“These youngsters have already demonstrated their potential at a senior level and we look forward to seeing them shine at the Games.”
Video of Chad le Clos from YOG to Olympic Champion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOdcgU1njjg&feature=youtu.be
South African Aquatics team for the Youth Olympic Games:
Women: Mariella Venter, Christin Mundell, Kate Beavon, Duné Coetzee
Men: Ethan Du Preez, Gabriel Nortje, Hendrik Duvenhage, Michael Houlie
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Swimming South Africa
011 404 2480
Swimming South Africa is the governing body of aquatics in South Africa.
Its objective is to encourage the practice of aquatic disciplines for all in South Africa with the purpose of promoting swimming as a life skill through Learn To Swim programmes; providing healthy exercise to South Africans of all ages and races; recruiting recreational swimmers to compete in the various competitions; and promoting competition and athlete development to the highest level. Swimming South Africa is kindly supported by SASCOC, National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Arena, Sport & Recreation SA and Rand Water.