History is going to be made when the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality hosts the South African Swimming Olympic trials for the first time as the country’s best swimmers prepare for the 2020 Olympics to be held in Tokyo, Japan, later this year.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) and the Nelson Mandela Bay Aquatics have partnered to ensure that Gqeberha’s Newton Park swimming pool technical equipment complies with Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) standards and that the city delivers a COVID-19 safe and exciting trial for the athletes.
NMBM Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, portfolio head Helga van Staaden visited the Newton Park swimming pool on Friday where the trials will take place from 7-12 April 2021, to check the readiness of the facility before the exciting event.
“I am quite happy with the preparations so far. We have to thank NMB Aquatics for their specialised advice, we are in partnership with them to make the event a success. They brought it to our attention that we need international standard equipment and they saw to it that we got to that point where we have them installed and in time for the event that will take place from the 7th until 12th April 2021,” Van Staaden said.
“We are on the right track to position the city as the international sport destination of choice. The fact that we are the host city for these trials is a boost to prove we are moving in the right direction. It gives us great satisfaction to say in this instance, that we beat another province in hosting such a big event and we are honoured to actually do that. We will do everything in our power to see to it that it becomes a success.”
The NMBM has committed to invest R450 000 towards the preparations.
NMB Aquatics president Michael Canter said that close to 300 visitors will descend to the city.
“The hosting of the SA Olympic trials is a major event in the SA calendar. Traditionally, it has always been hosted in King’s Park. This year we have been given the opportunity to host it in Port Elizabeth and we are gearing up,” Canter said.
Top 60 males, 60 female athletes and athletes living with disabilities have all been invited to the event. They will be staying in a bubble for the duration of the event due to COVID-19 regulations.
“The swimming pool is looking great at the moment and is fully FINA compliant. We have upgraded with the assistance of the Metro. We have upgraded the starting blocks to meet the new FINA standards and everything is on track for a great and successful trial for the top swimmers in the country,” said Canter.
Van Staaden, meanwhile, added that access to the swimming pool during the event is going to be limited due to COVID-19 regulations.
“In terms of the COVID-19 regulations, we cannot allow more than 250 people. There will be strict regulations that will be enforced, unfortunately we have to do that. We are more than happy to host them as this will mean a boost for our economy and the sport after being hit by COVID-19,” she said.
