Geraldine Pillay impressed with the standard of South African sprinters

Pillay, who is now a full-time coach and TV analyst, has been impressed by the number of young athletes making their mark this season. 

Sinesipho Dambile, who won 200m gold at the Commonwealth Games, is among those who have caught her eye. 

Pillay is particularly pleased with his comeback after winning the national 200m title as a junior in 2022 and now competing strongly on the Diamond League circuit. Teenagers Tumi Ramokgopha, Naeem Jack and Rume Burger are also among the sprinters she believes have a bright future.

"So many of our athletes have burst onto the scene, and I'm particularly thinking of the comeback story of Dambile. He is someone who has had a few struggles with injury but now that he is back it's like he never left the scene. Then we have the youngster  Rume Burger from the Free State, who has given us yet another reason to believe that our younger athletes are yearning to wear the green and gold."

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Tumi Ramokgopha, who won two silver medals at the World Junior Championships in the 100m and 400m hurdles in the United States, has also earned praise from the Commonwealth Games 100m silver medallist.

Although the African championship bronze medallist in the 4x100m and 100m has retired from professional athletics, Pillay says her work in the sport continues. 

She is enjoying coaching and working as a TV analyst, allowing her to contribute to athletics in a different way.

The 49-year-old coach hopes South African athletics will continue to grow, with athletes becoming more confident and believing they can challenge the world’s best for medals at major international events. 

Her biggest wish is for athletes to be put first, major events to be hosted in the country, and politics to take a back seat.