South Africa to Open SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Monday

Photo Courtesy: Swimming SA

South Africa to Open SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Monday

South Africa will hold the 2024 SA Swimming Championships April 8-13 in Gqeberha, the meet serving as its Olympic Trials.

It’ll be the chance for the program’s big names, like Chad le Clos and reigning Olympic champion Tatjana Schoenmaker, to qualify for Paris. The meet will run from Monday through Saturday at the Newton Park Swimming Pool.

Le Clos if vying for a spot at his fourth Olympic Games. The 31-year-old has been training in Germany but has been in the country ahead of the meet for the last week.

“It’s been a little bit hard being away for so long,” le Clos told Swimming SA. “So it’s good for me to be at home, to get my head back in the game, have some sunshine, eat my dad’s food and be around the family. Everything is good. I’ve had a massive block of training, especially since the world champs so I might be a little bit overcooked in the sense of training but I’m ready for next week. I think it’s going to be good.”

Le Clos is entered in the 50 free, 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly and 100 free. He added that he’s “not expecting to set the world alight.”

Schoenmaker is the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s 200 breast. She also won silver in the 100 and has since won gold in the 200 breast at the 2023 World Championships. She faces a difficult field, with Kaylene Corbett having made an Olympic final in the 200 in Tokyo three years ago and two-time Commonwealth Games champ Lara van Niekerk as an emerging star in the shorter distance.

Pieter Coetzee also has an impressive program ahead of him. The Commonwealth Games champ and bronze medalist in the 200 back at the 2024 World Aquatics Championship is entered in the 50 back, 100 free, 200 back, 100 back, 50 free and 200 IM.

“I’m feeling very good heading into trials,” Coetzee, 19, said. “I’ve been doing some good training and it’s been tough but it’s always good to be positive so I’m looking forward to racing again. I’ve got some good memories in the PE pool, so I’m feeling confident. I wouldn’t really say I’m hoping for anything but I’d like to put up some good performances and boost my confidence heading towards Paris.”

Matt Sates is entered in seven events: The 200 fly, 200 free, 400 IM, 200 IM, 100 fly, 50 fly and 100 free. He’s the top seed in the first four. Another to watch is Ruard van Renen, off a strong NCAAs with Georgia. He is seeded ahead of Coetzee in the 100 back as well as third in the 100 fly, plus the 50 fly, 50 back and 100 free.

South Africa did not qualify a relay to the Olympics.

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