Glorious return for paralympic heroes
Published: September 29, 2004
The Eastern Cape’s paralympic heroes return home from Athens this week with a clutch of medals and a lifetime of memories.
Triumphant Port Elizabeth athletes Michael Louwrens, Duane Strydom and Le-Irvine de Kock will touch down in the city on Friday fresh from a round of press conferences with their teammates and officials.
Joining them are East London athlete David Roos and Zanele Situ, of Mthatha, sports psychologist Lynn Slogrove, discus and shot-put coach Kobus van Zyl, and co-manager of field and track Christine Saunders.
Port Elizabeth boasts two medal winners in Michael (gold and world record for shot-put) and Duane (bronze for discus and defending record-holder).
Northern Lights matric pupil Le-Irvine also did well, reaching the finals of all his events.
He also finished fourth in the 400m track event.
David came fifth in the high jump and Zanele successfully defended her javelin title.
“They all did so fantastically. We are really looking forward to seeing them,” Eastern Province Sports Association for the Physically Disabled chairman Wendy Gardner said yesterday.
“Duane was delighted with his bronze and disappointed that he did not get gold, but he still holds his record.
“He received a gold at the All Africa Games last year.” Local businessman Michael is anxiously awaited by wife Bernadette, who last saw her husband about a month ago.
“It’s been a long time now. He must come home,” she said.
“They have been enjoying their last few days in Athens, though, with the closing ceremony (held last night).”
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