'They actually listened to us' - Athletes thank ASA for relay camps as Team SA tops World Relays medals table

Following unprecedented success at the World Athletics Relay in Guangzhou, China this weekend (10-11 May) where Team South Africa topped the medals table ahead of the United States, Jamaica and Canada as the 4x100m men and 4x400m men won gold, while the 4x400m women took the bronze medal, athletes have thanked Athletics South Africa (ASA) for acceding to their request to host relay training camps ahead of major global competitions. 

Three-time SA 400m champion and Olympic semi-finalist Zakithi Nene lead the men's 4x400m team which included Lythe Pillay, Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer, Tumisang Shezi and Mthi Mthimkhulu. Like the women’s team, they also secured qualification for the World Championships in Tokyo in September and won the gold medal ahead of Belgium without Wayde van Niekerk in a World Lead 2:57.50.

Celebrations in China after Team South Africa topped the medals table. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"We have a nice blend of youth and experience in all of our relay teams. We've been going on and on about the relays and how the relays can bring medals. So for them to actually listen to us and incorporate the training camps which we have wanted for the last couple of years is really such a privilege to have. The team that we managed to assemble is the best team we have in South Africa at the moment."

Multiple SA 400m hurdles champion, Olympic semi-finalist and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Zeney van der Walt captained the country’s first women’s 4x400m team (van der Walt, Miranda Coetzee, Shirley Nekhubui, Precious Molepo, Hannah van Niekerk, Jada van Staden) to participate at a World Relays competition. She believes their bronze medal and national record (3:24.84) bodes well for LA Olympics in three years' time.

Team SA during their training camp at the University of Johannesburg ahead of the World Relays. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

"It's been a privilege for me to be the female captain of the team because this year we took a female team in the 4x400m to the World Relays for the first time. We took six ladies to the World Relays this year and last year it was only three. It's exciting to know that building up to the Olympic Games in 2028, this initiative of the relay camps are happening."

The camps go back to the beginning of 2024, whereafter a meeting between ASA management, athletes and their coaches it was felt that if more effort was put into the preparation of the relay teams, more success would be forthcoming. ASA President James Moloi thanked the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) for their support saying this is part of the process of readying a formidable athletics team for the next Olympic Games.

ASA President James Moloi (front and centre) poses with the South African team before their departure for Guangzhou, China to take part in the World Relays. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

"We started very early. We met with the athletes and their coaches in January 2024 and they explained that they want a camp to practice. They told us that they wanted relay camps and we did our level best to arrange them. We approached SASCOC who also helped us to put the camps together. Everything is in place. This time we are ready. They've got our support."

Continuing on from the silver medal they won at last year’s Paris Olympics, the men’s 4x100m team took it to the next level. The team comprising Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana and Tsebo Matsoso also produced a World Lead 37.61 to win the gold medal ahead of the USA and secure their spot at the World Championships in Japan.