‘For the hpc to bring home the seven medals that we want to win in Rio in 2016, it is imperative that we continue building on the winning culture that we have been endeavouring to create for the past 11 years. For the athletes, sport is about winning and achieving their goals, but most importantly it’s about testing the limits of body, mind and soul, and persevering even when the body says “no”,’ he said.

Mr Sutcliffe called on corporate South Africa to support the hpc athletes so as to enable them to follow in the footsteps of top South Africas athletes such as Caster Semenya, Bridgette Hartley and the ‘Oarsome Four’ rowing team who made South Africa proud when they returned from the 2012 London Olympics with their well-earned medals.

Judoka, from left to right: Christiaan Boshoff, Doale Whittaker, Geronay Whitebooi, Zack Piontek and DJ la Grange

Marc Mundell and Lebogang Shange, race-walkers

Rowers, from left to right: Ursula Grobler, Naydene Smith, Kirsten McCann, Lee-Ann Persse, David Hunt, Lawrence Brittain, Shaun Neethling, Lloyd Bemelman, Michael Voerman, Lawrence Ndlovu and John Smith

Swimmers, from left to right: Nico Mayer, Marlies Ross, Karin Prinsloo, Darren Murray, Emily Gray and Niel de Villiers

T
riathletes, from left to right: Rudolf Naudé, Kate Roberts, Wian Sullwald and Wikus Weber