Sports

Team SA itches for diamond-etched Relays medals

By Sunday World
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GABORONE, BOTSWANA - MAY 01: Akani Simbine (RSA), Olympic 4x100m silver medallist during Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 Press Conference at Botswana National Stadium on May 01, 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana. (Photo by Roger Sedres/Gallo Images)

The World Athletics Relays officially got underway in Gaborone, Botswana, yesterday, and team South Africa will be out to get their hands on the nostalgic diamond-etched medals today.

On Thursday, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, unveiled medals featuring authentic natural Botswana diamonds through the Okavango Diamond Company.

The medals symbolise provenance, authenticity, and the power of a Diamond Nation. This will also go down in the history books of the World Athletics Relays, as it will be the first time medals have been engraved with natural diamonds.

Team SA, who topped the overall table with three medals (two gold and one bronze) last year in Guangzhou, China, will not only be out to defend their title but also to be one of the nations that get their hands on the unique diamond-etched medal.

“I think it’s an exciting opportunity for us [to win a medal] because Botswana is known for diamonds and South Africa is known for gold, so to take the diamond from this side and have it in our homes will be a special moment,” said captain of the men’s team and national 100m record holder, Akani Simbine.

“But I think, just to touch on one thing, Botswana is next door. This is home, and it’s good to be here and be able to defend the title at home. It is nice to run and compete in front of Batswana and defend our title.

“So, winning the medals is a memento for us so that we can take it back home to South Africa and share it with our families. And say, ‘you know, Botswana is not too bad’,” he added.

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  • The World Athletics Relays began yesterday in Gaborone, Botswana.
  • Team South Africa aims to win medals at the event today.
  • The medals are described as nostalgic and diamond-etched.
  • The event is significant for South African athletics.
  • Full story available via the Sunday World e-edition.
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The World Athletics Relays officially got underway in Gaborone, Botswana, yesterday, and team South Africa will be out to get their hands on the nostalgic diamond-etched medals today.

On Thursday, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, unveiled medals featuring authentic natural Botswana diamonds through the Okavango Diamond Company.

The medals symbolise provenance, authenticity, and the power of a Diamond Nation. This will also go down in the history books of the World Athletics Relays, as it will be the first time medals have been engraved with natural diamonds.

Team SA, who topped the overall table with three medals (two gold and one bronze) last year in Guangzhou, China, will not only be out to defend their title but also to be one of the nations that get their hands on the unique diamond-etched medal.

“I think it’s an exciting opportunity for us [to win a medal] because Botswana is known for diamonds and South Africa is known for gold, so to take the diamond from this side and have it in our homes will be a special moment,” said captain of the men’s team and national 100m record holder, Akani Simbine.

“But I think, just to touch on one thing, Botswana is next door. This is home, and it’s good to be here and be able to defend the title at home. It is nice to run and compete in front of Batswana and defend our title.

“So, winning the medals is a memento for us so that we can take it back home to South Africa and share it with our families. And say, ‘you know, Botswana is not too bad’,” he added.

Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content