Mrs Zanele Mbeki to represent South Africa at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games

Pretoria-Mrs Zanele Mbeki will represent South Africa at the forthcoming 2008 Olympic Games scheduled for 8-24 August in Beijing, China.  This follows the decisions by South Africa to respect the right of China to host the 2008 Olympics Games.

In this regard, Mrs Mbeki will be joining a number of Heads of State and Government who will be representing their countries and thus leading their respective national teams to the world’s most beautiful spectacle, the Olympic Games.

Mrs Mbeki’s participation has thus enabled the South African Olympic Team to secure the highest diplomatic accreditation to the Beijing Olympic Games.

In this regard, South Africa will be sending a team of 220 athletes including a team of managers, technical staff and coaches.  The South African Olympic Team is expected to depart Korea initially on the 27-28 July to allow for acclimatisation before proceeding to Beijing.

Mrs Mbeki, who is also the patron of the South African Olympic Team, has previously represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games as well as the Athens Olympic Games held in 2004.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

13 July 2008