South Africa will have two representatives at next month’s 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada and another athlete at the Winter Paralympics.

Peter Scott and Oliver Kraas will fly the flag for SA at the Olympics and Bruce Warner will do the same at the Paralympics. Scott will take part in the Alpine Skiing discipline and Kraas in the cross-country category.

Youngster Scott, 19, was born in Cape Town but now lives in Gazave, France and it’s his first Winter Olympics since taking up the sport in 2006.

Scott is coached by experienced South African Winter Olympian Alexander Heath, who competed at three Olympics, namely Nagano, Salt Lake City and Torino.

Kraas, 34, was born in Germiston, Gauteng but now lives and trains in Weidenberg, Germany.

This will be his second Winter Olympics, having been to Torino four years ago, and he is coached by Johan Sadler.

The South African Winter Olympic team will be lead by head of delegation, Hajera Kajee, first vice-president of SA Olympic governing body, SASCOC.

The Winter Olympics will run from Feb 12-28 and the Paralympics between March 12-21.

Heath will also coach Warner, SA’s sole representative at the Winter Paralympics.

Warner, 39, was born in Bloemfontein, but is currently based in Aubonne, Switzerland. He’ll also compete in the Alpine Skiing category.

An electronic engineer by profession, Warner has competed in three Winter Paralympics in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Winter Olympic Team:

Head of Delegation         -  Hajera Kajee
Administrator             -  Kaya Majeke
Athlete (Alpine Skiing)     -  Peter Scott
Coach (Alpine Skiing)     -  Alex Heath
Athlete (Cross Country)     -  Oliver Kraas
Coach (Cross Country)     -  Johan Sadler

Winter Paralympic Team:

Head of delegation         -  Hajera Kajee
Administrator             -  Leon Fleiser
Athlete (Alpine Skiing)     -  David Warner
Coach                     -  Alex Heath

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge says he is “disappointed” with the revelations of Tiger Woods’ serial infidelity.

“It’s a disappointment… we call for our athletes to be a role model for youngsters and that is evidently not the case with Woods,” Rogge told El Pais on Saturday.

“We will see how this evolves, but it’s not a worry for the IOC,” the Olympic chief added in reference to golf’s inclusion at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

AFP reports that according to Rogge “an athlete of this level must realise that his personal life is indelibly linked to his professional life”.

Woods’ popularity and standing as a sporting icon has taken a major battering since reports of his extra-marital affairs first surfaced last month.

The billionaire golfer, whose Swedish wife Elin has reportedly launched divorce proceedings, has announced a temporary break from the sport to deal with his personal issues.

SASCOC president Gideon Sam has just completed his first year in the hot seat of South Africa’s Olympic governing body. And he’s already looking forward to his next year and facing up to the challenges that lie ahead in 2010.

Speaking at Olympic House in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Sam promised still more commitment to improving the way sport is run in South Africa.

“I must say I have enjoyed my first year in office tremendously. I took charge on November 22 last year and I am just as, if not more, passionate about the whole task.

“The most encouraging aspect to me is the fact that when I travel around the country I get a very real sense that we are back in the business of taking sport seriously. The feedback I get is that we are back on track with running sport like it should be.

“From the word go I have made it clear to both athletes and administrators that no more are we going to accept mediocracy. We are working very hard with our Operation Excellence (OPEX) programme and all the federation bosses know that we need to collectively improve. We’re not quite there yet but we are moving in the right subject. I’m having a summit in late January/early February with all the federation bosses and we’ll move on from there.”

Sam, who celebrated his 60th birthday during his first year in charge, was in Cape Town Friday where he attended the draw for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and although he took heart from a hugely successful event he says South Africa have lessons to learn from it.

“There is no doubting that the successful staging of the draw has put us on a sporting roll right now. So now is the time we need to look at ourselves and look at what other major global sporting events we want to hold.

“You only have to look at Brazil. They got their thinking right and started off on a small scale by first hosting regional events and getting them right. Suddenly they are hosting not only the 2014 Soccer World Cup but the Olympic Games two years later.

“What we as South Africans need to know is: If we are to even think about bidding to host the 2020 Olympic Games or other major events we need to make a start. And to this end we need to ask ourselves whether there is value in bidding for the likes of the World Games (the most recent were in Kaohsiung, Taiwan earlier this year) or the Commonwealth Games.”

In this regard Sam says the hosting of the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India is very important.

“The baton is in Africa right now and comes to us here in South Africa early in January. The last time it was in South Africa ahead of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 it only went to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area in the Eastern Cape. This time we are taking it on a more extensive tour around the country. What we need to judge from the baton relay is the appetite of the people to the Commonwealth Games. Is there any allegiance to the queen’s baton, do people even understand the significance of it. I know the last time the baton was here it was a big success but I think this time around it could be even better.”

Sam went on to say that two of the sports that would be be receiving particular attention in the immediate future are athletics and boxing.

SASCOC board member Ray Mali took over the administering of Athletics South Africa after SASCOC suspended ASA president Leonard Chuene and the board over the handling of the Caster Semenya affair.

“We are pleased with the progress of the nine-member ad hoc committee under Ray Mali and are monitoring the situation very closely. What needs to be done now are for the various regions to get themselves organised and personally I am off the opinion that we should see Athletics South Africa occupying their seat at the next council meeting in March.

“As far as boxing goes, I’m very pleased to say that our talent identification programme around the country went off very well. I am very chuffed that we managed to pull it off. I met with SANABO president Barries Barnard yesterday and the next step is that the 120 recruits (men and women) who came through the ranks, will sign up for a six-month basic training course with the SANDF in January. Our next step is to work with the amateur boxing federation to lead a number of conventions to improve the training platform.

“So yes, athletics and boxing are getting a good deal of attention in the coming months.”

Returning to the OPEX programme and Sam said: “We plan to expand the OPEX system and look at those athletes on the periphery and see if they are good enough to be brought on board.

“And as usual, the youth is a very important area. Especially in 2010 with the inaugural Youth Olympics in SIngapore. We are already looking at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and are going to emphasise to the federations that the spotlight must fall on the youth. We need to find out more about our sporting youth — why exactly they are taking part in sport or alternatively why they are not involved in sport.

“Obviously the youth need to be coached as well and there will be a coaching congress in the Free State province to ensure that there is no gap in the sporting loop. Our coaches need to know the best methods and we won’t hesitate to bring in international assistance to develop this aspect.”

The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in October have become the new target for Paul Treu’s embattled Sevens rugby side.

Retaining their IRB World Series title now looks an extremely long shot and Treu has accordingly, and realistically, re-adjusted his sights.

“It’s a good time to start building for the future, and that includes the Commonwealth Games as our first goal after the series,” said Treu.

The sevens side have two tough pools in the next two legs of the series in Wellington and Las Vegas. They are in the same pool as series leaders New Zealand in Wellington and if they end second there it looks likely that they’ll face Fiji for a third time this season. Fiji have become SA’s hoodoo team of late, eliminating them in the quarters of both the Dubai and George tournaments.

There are four new caps in the squad for Wellington and Las Vegas –Philip van der Walt, Steven Hunt, Hoffman Maritz and Branco du Preez as well as Cecil Afrika, who was a newcomer in the squad when SA ended third at last year’s World Games in Taiwan.

“We have some very good young players and now we still have six tournaments to get to the right combination and standard,” said Treu. Du Preez and Afrika will take on the sweeping duties after Renfred Dazel has again been sidelined with a troublesome knee injury.

Our wrestlers returned from the recent Commonwealth Senior tournament in India 12 medals to the good.

Leading the way was Richard Addinall who took gold and lead the South African team to second place in the team competition in the Greco Roman category.

In Olympic Freestyle wrestling Pretoria’s Heinrich Barnes placed second. Barnes, who is currently studying at the Oregon State University, lost in the final against Olympic bronze medal winner, Sushil Kumar of India.

Other medal winners in the Greco Roman division were: Hugues Bella Lufu and Andries Schutte (gold) and Carlo van Wyk, Marius Loots, Richard Ferreira, Dean van Zyl and Andrew Davidson, who all took bronze.

In die women’s division Mpho Madi and Sonja Coetzee came second while Brumilda Leeuw won the bronze medal.

Wrestlers from 11 countries participated at the tournament which is part of the preparations for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi, India, in October.

There were more medals for South Africa with our youth wrestlers claiming four golds at the Commonwealth tournament held in Singapore earlier this month.

In the boys division Ivan Smith, Terry van Rensburg and Kallie Erasmus took gold while in the girls division Elri Neethling emerged victorious and also had the honour of being named wrestler of the tournament.

Other South African medal winners were Alex Bornman, Niel Faasen, Morgan Engelbrecht, Andries Schutte, Juanita Olivier, S Peacock and Levona Williams (silver) and Elandre Beukes, Schalk Steenkamp and Regan Erasmus (bronze).

The Queen’s Baton Relay embarked on a whirlwind tour of the Mother City Sunday.

In the country on a worldwide tour ahead of the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in October, Cape Town was the baton’s third port of call after arriving in Johannesburg Saturday and then visiting Durban, also yesterday.

The baton was met at Cape Town International airport by Hajera Kajee, first vice-president of South African Olympic governing body SASCOC and the city’s mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.

A group of cyclists, lead by national rider Luthando Kaka, then took the baton to the Gugulethu Indoor Sports Complex.

“It was actually quite difficult,” said Kaka.”It was only about an eight-kilometre ride but it was difficult riding with one hand and holding this fancy baton in the other. I don’t think my fellow cyclists were keen to hold it because the pressure of dropping this smart baton would have been too much!”

The baton’s entourage were treated to a gymnastics performance in Gugulethu and then the baton moved on to Heideveld with a group of athletes.

Members of local Premier Soccer League club Santos were on hand as well as local minstrels, the Heideveld Entertainers who provided a backdrop. The baton then went to the historic venue of the castle in the city centre where West Coast “Rieldancers” performed. The national Sevens rugby team, led by captain Mzwandile Stick, then jogged to the Waterfront.

There the baton boarded the Sikhululekile ferry to the world heritage site of Robben Island.

Former prisoner and now tour guide, Kgotso Ntsoelengoe, heard the tale of the baton’s journey through Africa and said in the days when  the maximum security prison was still in operation the prisoners also had their own “national games”
“We called it our own Summer Games, an annual tournament but to us it was just as big as the Commonwealth Games or Olympics!”

The torch moves on to Bloemfontein on Monday before wrapping up it’s four-day visit to the country with a function at Olympic House in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

South Africa was the baton’s 21st country visited and it now heads off to Lesotho.

Please note: To see original documents of qualifying criteria, click on the link at the bottom of this article

ARCHERY

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND ARCHERY SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: born between 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of one male and one female per NOC
Archers can qualify at the 2009 Youth World Archery Championships or the Continental Qualification Tournament that FITA will identify in each continent, the top NOC in in Africa will qualify
Archers must obtain a minimimum MQS:
Men — FITA Round 1200 (jnr) or 1220 (cadet)
70m Round 600 (jnr) or 610 (Cadet)
Women — Fita Round 60 (jnr) or 1200 (cadet)
70m Round 590 (jnr) or 600 (cadet)

A  minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

BADMINTON

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND BADMINTON SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born between 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of two males and two females per NOC and only if both men and/or women are among the top seven of the World Junior Championships, 2010
The highest ranked men or women (one per NOC) shall qualify through the Continental Championships 2010. African can qualify for two places.
The remaining seven places will qualify under the IF system and will be selected through the World Junior Championship 2010 ranking list

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

CANOEING

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND CANOEING SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1994
Maximum of one male athlete in K1 and C1 and one female athlete in K1, a total of three athletes per NOC
A minimum of one NOC place for K1 female, K1 men and C1 men from AFrica.
Only canoeists who have competed in the Junior World Championships in accordance with the following table qualify:
Event        Placing in order to qualify
Flatwater K1 Men        Eighth
Flatwater C1 Men        Fifth
Flatwater K1 Women        11th
Slalom K1 Men            Third
Slalom C1 Men            Third
Slalom K1 Women        Third

A minimum of 33% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector if qualification is through the world qualification, a minimum of 66% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantages sector if qualification is through the continental qualification.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

CYCLING

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND CYCLING SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of one team, consisting of three boys and one girl, the athletes accumulate points, the country with the most points will win, thereford all four athletes have to compete.
The team will qualify either through the final ranking of the 2009 Nations Cup, where they have to be ranked in the top 15, Africa only gets one quota place.
Or the team can qualify through the cumulated ranking by nation of the 2009 Junior Men’s BMX and MTB Olympic Cross-country World Championships. The team must be ranked in the top 11 at these championships.

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

EQUESTRIAN

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICA EQUESTRIAN COUNCIL AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Only one athlete may qualify
A certificate of capability must be obtained before May 2010
Qualification will be through FEI Challenge Category A

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

FENCING

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICA FENCING  ASSOCIATION AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age brackt: Born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1994
Maximum of one fencer per weapon, in total six athletes per NOC
Best ranked fencer of each continent at the cadet World Championships to be held in April 2010 — one place for Africa
The athletes must be placed in the top 16 at the cadet World Championships in their respective events

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

GYMNASTICS

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICA GYMNASTICS FEDERATION AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

Artistic gymnastics
SASCOC will consider selection of athletes
If they are in the following age bracket: Men: Born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1994; Women: Born 1st January 1995 and 31st December 1995
Maximum of one male and one female athlete
Athletes who have participated at FIG senior competition or multisport games are not eligible for selection
Qualification via Junior Continental Championships in the year of the YOG will be used for qualification; the top two in Africa will qualify.

Rythmic Gymnastics
SASCOC will consider selection of athletes
If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1995 and 31st December 1995
Maximum of five athletes — one individual and one group of four athletes
Athletes who have participated at FIG senior competition or multisport games are not eligible for selection
Qualification via Junior Continental Championships in the year of the YOG will be used for qualification
Two slots for Africa in individual and one slot in Africa for the group of four.

Trampoline
SASCOC will consider selection of athletes
If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1994
Maximum of one male and one female athlete
Athletes who have participated at FIG senior competition or multisport games are not eligible for selection
Qualification via Junior Continental Championships in the year of the YOG will be used for qualification, one from Africa

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

HANDBALL

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICA HANDBALL FEDERATION AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Highest ranked team at each of the five youth continental qualification events organised by the International Federation.

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector. Participation shall be limited to one male team and one female team per NOC.

HOCKEY

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND HOCKEY SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1994
Highest ranked team at each of the five youth continental qualification events, which will take place at the African Youth Olympic qualifier.

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector. Participation shall be limited to one male team and one femal team per NOC.

MODERN PENTATHLON

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND MODERN PENTATHLON SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of one male and one female athlete
Qualification through an official Olympic qualification, which is the 2009 Youth Continental Championships (1st placed athlete) and/or 2010 World Youth A Championship (first eight placed athletes that have not yet qualified)

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

ROWING

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND ROWING  SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of one male boat and one female boat
Must take part in 2009 World Rowing Junior Championships
For the JM1x top six places, JM2x top three places, JM4x top three places
For the JW1x top six places, JW2x top three places, JW4x top three places
For the JM2- top five places, JM4- top three places, JM8+ top three places
For the JW2- top five places, JM4- top three places, JM8+ top three places

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

SHOOTING

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICAN SHOOTING SPORT FEDERATION AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of two male and two female athletes
MQS score must be attained in ISSF supervised competitions/championships
MQS have been established as follows
Men — air rifle 10m (AR) 60 shots 552,  air pistol 10m (AP) 60 shots 540
Women — air rifle 10m (AR) 40 shots 368, air pistol 10m (AP) 40 shots 355

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

TABLE TENNIS

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICAN TABLE TENNIS BOARD AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: born 1st January 1994 and 31st December 1995
Maximum of one male and one female athlete
Qualification through the following events
ITTF Cadet Challenge — Tokyo 2009
Must be placed in the top four in the singles event — maximum of one player and gender
ITTF U/15 World Ranking, must be placed in the top four, eligible players not yet qualified through other criteria on the first ITTF U/15 world ranking published on 31 December 2009. Maximum of one player per NOC and gender
ITTF Junior Circuit Event, the winner or first eligible player not yet qualified through other criteria of each five Junior Circuit events selected by the ITTF Junior Commission
Continental qualifications, athletes can qualify through continental events that will be held between 1 November 2009 and 31 May 2010, the top two in Africa will qualify.

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

TAEKWONDO

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICAN TAEKWONDO BOARD AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1994
Maximum of three male and three female athletes
Athlete must be a Kukkiwon Dan or Poom certificate holder
WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships is held in the same year as the Youth Olympic Games
The top six in each weight category at the YOG Qualification Tournament will qualify

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

TENNIS

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICAN TENNIS ASSOCIATION AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of two male and two female athletes
Singles: Every player will have to make himself/herself available for selection to represent South Africa in any of the international Team Championships of the Federation for the following years — 2009 and 2010. (month should be way before the Games). Top 12 direct qualifications based on the ITF Junior World combined ranking and professional singles ranking (only players ranked of ATP 450 or better or WTA 150 or better). Sixteen based on the 2010 ITF Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup Regional Zones breakdown quota and selected on ITF Junior World combined ranking and professional singles ranking (only players ranked of ATP 1450 or better of WTA 150 or better).
Doubles: The ITF will select doubles teams from players accepted in the singles events. There may be a maximum of one per NOC.

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

TRIATHLON

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND TRIATHLON SOUTH AFRICA AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1992 and 31st December 1993
Maximum of one male and one female athlete
Thee will be one YOG qualifier for each continent between 1 May 2009 and 30 April 2010,   top two in Africa will qualify

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

WEIGHTLIFTING

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICA WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1994
Maximum of two male and two female athletes, one athlete per weight category
Qualification according to position in Team Classification by points in 2009 Youth World Championships
The NOC will qualify according to their classification by points at the 2009 Youth World Championships or at their African Continental Qualification event.
Men’s qualification events: 2009 Youth World Championships, Team placing 1st-ninth (two athletes per NOC), 10th-16th (one athlete per NOC), YOG Continental Qualification Events in 2010, Africa 1-fourth (one athlete per NOC)
Women’s qualification events: Team placing 1-7th (two athletes per NOC), eighth-15th (one athlete per NOC), YOG Continental Qualification events in 2010 , Africa first-third (one athlete per NOC)

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

WRESTLING

OVER AND ABOVE THE GENERAL SELECTION POLICY, SASCOC AND SOUTH AFRICA WRESTLING FEDERATION AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING PROCESS

SASCOC will consider selection of athletes

If they are in the following age bracket: Born 1st January 1993 and 31st December 194
Maximum of four male athletes and one female athlete
Must possess a 2010 FILA licence
FILA will organise a tournament within each continent during the month of May 2010, where Africa gets one place for each discipline

A minimum of 50% of athletes must be from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All NOC’s are capped to only take a maximum of 70 individual athletes. Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games does not automatically imply that you will go to the Games. SASCOC will make the final selection of the team once everyone has completed their qualification period.

Click here to see latest official Youth Olympic qualification criteria

The Olympic Games already have a lasting legacy, with the modern-day Games having been staged since 1896.

Now comes a new addition to the family. In August next yet, Singapore will hosts the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

The Games will take place from 14-26 August.

It’s anticipated that the Games will receive some 5,000 athletes and officials from the 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), along with an estimated 800 media representatives, 20,000 local and international volunteers, and more than 500,000 spectators.

Young athletes – aged between 14 and 18 years – will compete in 26 sports as well as taking part in Culture and Education programmes.

The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games aims to inspire youth around the world to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.

It will create a lasting sports, culture and education legacy for Singapore and youths from around the world, as well as enhance and elevate the sporting culture locally and regionally.

South Africa will be part of the inaugural Games and details of qualification criteria will be available on the SASCOC website shortly.