SA cities to light up for Olympic countdown

Landmarks in Cape Town and Joburg will be illuminated on Freedom Day to mark the 100-day countdown to the 2016 Olympics.

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Cape Town - Landmarks in Cape Town and Johannesburg will be illuminated on Freedom Day Wednesday, the two cities and their partners, the Embassy of Brazil in Pretoria and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), said on Tuesday.

This, to mark the 100-day countdown to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio, which kicks off on August 5.

In Cape Town, Table Mountain would be illuminated while Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Bridge would light up, with both cities celebrating on behalf of the continent.

Residents and visitors can expect to see the landmarks lit up in yellow and/or green as well as the colours of Brazil and South Africa.

Similar commemorations will take place around the world in cities who have also teamed up with Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Taking part are Buenos Aires, London, Athens, Rome, Tokyo, Mexico City, Doha, Seoul, and Atlanta.

SASCOC chief executive Tubby Reddy used the occasion to comment on Team South Africa’s preparations for the Games and the feeling in the camp.

“With just three months to go before the Rio Olympics, the excitement at Olympic House is mounting every day.”

“As a collective, the athletes and administrators have all worked extremely hard around the clock to ensure that the Rio Olympics will once again be another event to document in our proud sporting history,” he said.

Reddy added that he had full faith in Team South Africa to “rise to the occasion and do us proud”, also wishing the athletes well with their final preparations.

“I have absolutely no doubt that Team SA will rise to the occasion and do us proud. SASCOC wishes all athletes well as they embark upon the final leg in their preparations.”

African News Agency