South Africa’s Olympic rowing squad announced

MEDIA RELEASE

30 JUNE 2021

South Africa’s Olympic rowing squad announced

South Africa’s Olympic rowers are heading off to the Tokyo games today. The squad was announced earlier this month by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), along with the athletes in rugby sevens, athletics, sailing, water polo, skateboarding, surfing, swimming, tennis and triathlon. 

South Africa has qualified two boats – a men's heavyweight four and a men's heavyweight pair. The team of four will comprise Sandro Torrente, Kyle Schoonbee, John Smith and Lawrence Brittain, while the pair will be Jake Green and Luc Daffarn. The head coach is Roger Barrow and the assistant coach is Marco Galeone.

“We've had to isolate ourselves due to the high Covid-19 infection rates in Gauteng, which means we went back to Lesotho, where we spend a large part of our training each year due to the altitude,” says Barrow. “This wasn't our plan because it's so cold there at this time of the year, which brought on its own struggles. But it’s nothing that we can't overcome. We were into big loads and big training before heading to Tokyo.”

“We have gone with the approach similar to what the Springboks did, going to Tokyo really early, trying to acclimatise because the heat there is huge – up to 35 degrees and 90 percent humidity, which is a far cry from what we experienced in Lesotho. In addition, we will have to overcome jet lag and then obviously the change in diet and adapting to a foreign culture. It's going to be tough for us to adjust, but the team is extremely resilient, and we will fortunately have enough time to do so.”

Barrow says the team’s performance would not be possible without support.

“We are extremely grateful to our corporate partners who have really been our lifeline in the run-up to the Olympics, and who will carry on supporting us throughout the games,” he says. “We've had some funding from Sascoc and the National Lottery, for which we are very grateful, but the lion's share of our budget has been taken care of by RMB, who have literally kept us afloat. The rowers take great confidence in the fact that we have support so that they can focus on their jobs, which is to row.

RMB’s support of the National Squad and various regattas across the country over the past few years has helped our national athletes to compete and prepare internationally, and also benefits various grassroots initiatives to empower communities and schools to take part and feed the rowing talent pipeline.”

On Covid-19 lockdowns, Barrow says the team has been really good at adjusting. 

“We have been very lucky in that we were able to work around the Covid lockdowns to keep up a rigorous training routine for the squad,” he says. “This was done by installing home gyms at each rower's home and linking up virtually to train together. Our focus now is on the goal ahead.

“I think we've all taken huge strain. Covid has pushed us into these bubbles, which, when you're on training camp, actually allows you to get more done. But it also has mental recoil effects, just keeping guys sane or staying on the path. I have mixed feelings on it and will only be able to reflect on it truly once it's over. You are always striving, pushing so hard to be faster and be the best. At the moment we are pushing for the goal, and everyone is firmly invested. Once the Olympics are over we will have time to reflect on what impacted us and what didn't.

“We're a nation used to overcoming obstacles and I look forward to Team South Africa's performance at the games.”

Following the announcement Alison Badenhorst, Chief Marketing Officer at RMB, commented: “We recognise and celebrate Roger and the RMB National Squad’s commitment and courage. At a time when many athletes’ hopes and dreams unravelled, they inspired hope and optimism. It has been a privilege to partner these incredible athletes on their journey to Tokyo and we wish them all the best.”

The squad's heats will be on the 23^rd and 24^th of July, with finals taking place on 27 and 28 July.

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Contact:

Joandra Griesel l Rand Merchant Bank l joandra.griesel@rmb.co.za l 082 462 6741