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Team SA head of delegation Carole Adams has pinned hopes on swimming, athletics and archery athletes for podium finishes at the FISU World University Games in Germany.
Following the glittering opening ceremony on Wednesday night, the event officially gets underway with the University of Sport South Africa [USSA] having registered over 100 students to compete.
The medal haul at the previous Games in Chengdu, China reached the 20 mark, with two golds, 11 silvers and seven bronze.
Adams admits some categories have traditionally been stronger than others.
"I think that our athletics team is extremely strong, our swimmers have both gone to their respective World Championships. We have obviously got fencing, we've got an Olympian there and also in rowing, we've got athletes that have competed and won at previous FISU World Champs before,” Adams said.
“So, I'm really excited, so those are the sort of areas but it's not to say that others aren't, we've also in archery won medals at previous games before and I'm also really proud of our 3x3 basketball team, they're really gonna make us proud."
The experienced administrator stressed that there was no pressure on the athletes, but rather plenty of support from them to “thrive”.
Team SA could have been stronger had the FISU schedule not clashed with other major championships happening around the world.
But Adams is confident the federations and USSA will have an even stronger collaboration moving forward.
"I think it's especially in athletics, we've got athletes that are competing around the world, there's Diamond League etc and the same with swimming. I mean the Swimming World Aquatics Champs are happening now in Singapore. For example, like Pieter Coetzee he's actually with us for a few days and then he goes across to the World Champs,” she explained.
“So, it's definitely a challenge but more and more our national federations are understanding that this is a great opportunity for our athletes to experience what the Olympics are like.
“So, more and more of our athletes are coming to compete at the FISU World University Games and are going on to the Olympics. So, we can definitely watch some of these swimmers go on to the Olympics and World Champs in the future."
