_: Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Dr Ivan Meyer, who last night attended the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (SASCOC) banquet in Sandton in honour of the South African Paralympic team, today expressed his well wishes and support for the 37 Western Cape-based athletes and officials who make up the 62 member Paralympic team which leaves for the London Paralympics games today.

Western Cape athletes who should do well are Beijing gold medalist, Ernst van Dyk, who is currently ranked third in the world, while Fanie van der Merwe, who is the current world record holder in the 100 and 200 metre track (class 337), should also get a podium finish. Cyclist Madre Carinus, who is currently ranked number three in the world, should also come into medal contention.

Other athletes who should put in a strong showing is Zanele Situ who won gold at the Sydney Olympics and triple gold medalist at the Beijing Games and world record holder, Hilton Langenhoven. Expectations are that world-ranked 400 metre athlete, Marius Stander, who recently returned from injury, should also do well.

Urging all South Africans to get behind team South Africa, MEC Meyer said: “I am confident that this team will emulate the successes they achieved at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing where South Africa won 30 medals, including 21 gold finishing sixth of 148 countries in the medals table and that Western Cape athletes will once again contribute significantly to the medal tally.”