Luxolo Adams flown to Paris by Gayton McKenzie using super fan budget

Luxolo Adams’s trip to the Paris Olympics 2024 is being funded by the super fan budget allocated by the new Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

Adams, who will turn 28 on 1 August, was overlooked for the Team South Africa athletics squad for this year’s Games in France.

Adams was one of two casualties after Wayde van Niekerk sensationally opted out of the 400m to focus on the 200m event instead, as reported by The South African website.

Fellow sprinter Sinesipho Dambile, 22, also missed out on selection.

Dambile has, however, been included as a reserve.

34-PERSON ATHLETICS SQUAD

Van Niekerk’s decision meant there was no place for Adams in the Team SA squad – even though he has run a faster qualifying time in the half-lap event than Van Niekerk.

Team SA has sent a 34-person strong athletics squad in Paris, of which 23 are men and 11 women.

Shaun Maswangani, Benjamin Richardson and Van Niekerk are the three runners in the men’s 200m, the heats of which will take place on 5 August with the final scheduled for 8 August.

None of the trio are expected to reach the final, let alone challenge for a medal.

Gayton McKenzie spoke of having ‘no jurisdiction regarding who should be included in the team, but that he didn’t want to break the spirit of a young man who is an inspiration to many in his village’.

Adams hails from Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape.

TEAM SA’S MEN’S ATHLETICS SQUAD

Kyle Blignaut (shot put), Edmund du Plessis (800m), Elroy Galant (marathon), Victor Hogan (discus), Gardeo Isaacs (4x400m), Cheswill Johnson (long jump), Shaun Maswangani (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Stephen Mokoka (marathon), Ryan Mphalele (1 500m), Zakithi Nene (400m, 4x400m), Bradley Nkoana (4x100m), Antonie Nortje (4x400m), Lythe Pillay (400m, 4x400m), Francois Prinsloo (discus), Brian Raats (high jump), Benjamin Richardson (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Akani Simbine (100m, 4x100m), Adrian Swart (4x400m), Tshepo Tshite (1 500m), Wayde van Niekerk (200m), Jovan van Vuuren (long jump), Bayanda Walaza (4x100m), Adriaan Wildschutt (5 000m, 10 000m)

As reported by The South African website, Adams has vowed legal action against Athletics South Africa (ASA).

Athletics South Africa claims to have removed Adams from the Team SA squad due to his inability to prove his fitness.

In an exclusive letter obtained by SABC Sport, ASA outlined the reasons for Adams’s removal from the squad.

A reliable source informed the national broadcaster that the figures, including Jean Verster (ASA Track and Field Chairperson), Hendrick Mokganyetsi (ASA Athletes Commission Chairperson), Paul Gorries (relay coach), Perrie Posthumus (Adams ‘coach), Hezekiel Sepeng (ASA official), and Adams himself were made aware of the reasons for his removal.

The letter states, “You did not compete in any local or other competitions during the 2024 season due to injury, and ASA was hopeful that you would recover in time for the national championships. Your evaluation as part of the OPEX athlete program was also scheduled for the championships, but unfortunately, you were unable to participate due to your injury. You mentioned in your report that you could compete in May, and ASA encouraged you to take part in the African Senior Championships in Cameroon last month to prove your fitness. However, you declined the selection due to your ongoing recovery.”