Statement from Team SA management

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has noted with concern the points raised in the media by athlete Oscar Pistorius.

With regards to the complaints raised by Mr Pistorius, it is of grave concern to SASCOC and team management that he did not address his concerns with us.

We have an open relationship with all of our athletes, and this is reflected in the success our Paralympic athletes have enjoyed in the past.

Other Paralympic stars such as Natalie du Toit and the Wheelchair Basketball Team have in fact confirmed the positive attitude within the camp and refuted claims that all the athletes have signed a petition of complaint. Du Toit has complimented the Team Management on the way she has been treated since joining the team.

When it comes to Mr Pistorius in particular, we have always supported him 100% throughout his career, and most notably during his quest to qualify for the Olympic Games..

On the issue of the team kit not being ready in time, the original kit produced by Puma was indeed ready as early as the training camp from 14 -17 August 2008. This was handed over to the Paralympic team at this camp. However, while the rest of the athletes of Team South Africa were happy with the kit, the athletics team in particular expressed their dissatisfaction with it.

SASCOC duly noted this and immediately commissioned a new kit for the athletes which the suppliers were unable to manufacture before the team's departure for Beijing. The new competition kit will arrive in Beijing this Thursday in time for the Paralympics.

On the matter of the dress code for the opening ceremony, personal taste obviously dictates what an athlete finds acceptable to wear or not. However, SASCOC has again noted the concerns of certain athletes regarding the dress code. As such, the South African team will vote on the matter in Beijing today, giving athletes the opportunity to decide whether they would like to wear the official team dress or the attire designed for formal functions.

On matters relating specifically to Mr Pistorius, the only meeting team management has had with the athlete occurred on Monday 1 September in Beijing. The meeting was to discuss the wish of Mr Pistorius to wear a competing sponsor's apparel at the Paralympics, and it was explained to him that this would not be allowed. Mr Pistorius has to date not requested any further meetings with team management, or raised any other concerns with team management.

Finally, the matter of drinks token which is part of the welcome bag that South African athletes and all other National Paralympic Teams receive is the responsibility of BOCOG and therefore entirely out of SASCOC's control. This matter was rectified by BOCOG late yesterday.

Team South Africa management reiterates that all concerns must be raised with us before contacting the media as this is counter productive to everything the South African Paralympic team is trying to achieve in Beijing.

As a team, we remain determined to represent our country with pride as always and ensure that our athletes have everything at their disposal to do this.

It is now time to focus on the priority of our presence in Beijing, namely the job of winning medals.

Statement issued by SASCOC September 3 2008