The Department has engaged with Swimming South Africa (SSA) in relation to the questions asked and submit the following responses.
1. Swimming South Africa indicates that Africa Aquatics encouraged South Africa’s participation at the Olympic Games, however SSA has the final decision on the matter and declined SA’s participation due to the team not meeting SSA’s criteria.
2. The Minister is not able to indicate whether the rest of the African countries were invited to the Olympic Games as this is a matter for Africa Aquatics and the International Olympic
Committees, however, the Minister is aware that South Africa did receive an invitation to Participate at the Olympic Games for the water polo teams.
A). Yes, the SA Water Polo Team attained qualification to the Olympic Games which has not be accepted.
B). The water polo team achieved qualification by virtue of being ranked position 1 on the African continent, however, SSA’s criteria for Olympic qualification requires the team to attain position 12 in the world. The water polo team has not achieved this qualifying standard.
3. No, the Minister has not found anything to this effect.