The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) is set to vet all coaches and athletes who will form the final South African Olympics squad, saying it was part of the measures adopted to ensure that no sexual predator is brought along.
“Everyone who is selected will undergo a vetting process. We want to make sure that we do not take along anyone with pending cases or criminal records. The exercise is -also aimed at removing all people with sexual offence -cases or considered sexual pests,” revealed Team SA leader Patience Shikwambana.
Shikwambana also explained that athletes will also be encouraged to report incidents where they feel being handled or touched inappropriately and uncomfortably.
In the past the Olympics committee has come under fire for its lapses and failure to root out rogue elements from its ranks. This year’s instalment of the Olympics games is scheduled to take place from July 26 concluding on 11 August in Paris, France.
Last week Sascoc announced the first of three parts of the squad expected to represent South Africa. The final team will be announced once the athletes’ qualifications have been confirmed by their respective federations.
