Leon Fleisher – Federations to decide Commonwealth Games selections

The Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August, spread across four venues.

Speaking to SABC Sport, SASCOC High Performance Manager Leon Fleisher confirmed that South Africa will send a smaller-than-usual squad, with the bulk of athletes expected to come from athletics and swimming.

“The federations are responsible for selecting the athletes, while SASCOC’s role is to announce the team,” said Fleisher.

“We will be sending a relatively small group. In athletics, we will be competing against strong nations like Jamaica and Barbados, which provides our athletes with a great opportunity to test themselves. In swimming, Australia and Canada set a high benchmark, and that level of competition is crucial as we prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”

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Fleisher explained that the Games will feature just 10 sporting codes after Glasgow stepped in as host following Australia’s withdrawal - linked to its preparations for the 2032 Olympic Games.

He added that the Operation Excellence (OPEX) programme, designed to support athletes with medal potential or Olympic qualification prospects, will play a role in assisting selected athletes, although the focus will be on a limited group.

“Federations have their own selection policies and trials, and it is important that these align with Commonwealth Games requirements. Athletics and swimming will undoubtedly make up the largest portion of our team. Both federations are already preparing their squads, and the Games will serve as an important stepping stone to assess our athletes,” Fleisher explained.

The longest-serving member of SASCOC also dismissed suggestions that the Commonwealth Games have lost relevance, insisting that they remain a key part of South Africa’s high-performance pathway.

“The Commonwealth Games are still strong and very important to us,” he said. “We use them as a benchmark for Olympic preparation. We will continue to support the Games in the best possible way and encourage our athletes to participate for as long as we can.”