The history of competitive water sports in southern Africa
Rhodesian Olympians |
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| Rhodesia competed in the Summer Olympic Games for the first time at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands. No swimmers or diver competed. This entry would be not be followed until the Rhodesian entry at the 1960 Summer Olympics. | ||||
1960 Olympians Rhodesia competed in the Olimpic Games for the first time in 1960, the female swimimers being Lynette Cooper, M Miners, Dotty Sutcliffe and Hilary Wilson. Cooper finished 6th in her heat of the 100 backstroke, in a time of 1'15"8, and Sutcliffe her heat 5th finished with a time of 1'15"2, behind Lynne Burke of the USA in a time of 1'09''3. In the same race was Natalie Steward of Pretoria and Bulawyo, swimming for Great Britian. She finished second behind Burke, winning the silver medal. She also took the bronze in the 100 freestyle.Sutcliffe was 7th in her heat of 100 freestyle in 1'09"0, where Dawn Fraser won the final in 1'01''2. Wilson was more succesful, finishing 5th in her jheat of 400 freestyle in 5'16"8, the final going to von Saltza of thre USA in 4'50"6. They finished 6th in their heat of the 4x100 medley relay, in 5'12''9, where the final was won by the USA in 4'41"1. M. Miners was 6th in her heat of the 200 breststroke, in 3'05"2, with the title going to Anita Lonsborough of Great Britian in 2'49''5. Hilary Wilson was 5th in the 100 butterfly heat in 1'21''4, with C Schuller of the USA winning the final in l'09"5. The one diver was Sandy Morganrood, who finished 13th in the semi-final of the 3m competition.
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1964 Olympians Sarie Bezuidenhout - diver - (age 19) - ended 20th in the Springboard and 22nd in Highboard Lindsay M. Grant Stuart - diver -(age 17) - finished 17th in Springboard Terry Rossiter - diver - (age 20) finished 27th in Springboard, and 28 in High Board. Marilyn Sidelsky - swimmer (age 16)- 100m, 400m Free, 400m Ind. Medley. Sghe finished 5th in heat of 100 freeestyle, in 1'05"5, won by Dawn Fraser in 59,5. 7th in the 400 heat in 5'08"9 behind Virginia Duenkel of the USA, who finished in 4'43''3. She withdrew from the 400 IM. Jennifer Wood - swimmer - (age 16) - 100 butterfly. She finished 6th in the heat, in 1'11"3, behind Sharon Stouder of the USA, who won with a new WR in 1'04''3.
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| 22 August 1972: Rhodesia out of Olympics |
For a serious discussion of these events, read an article by Andrew Novak here: |
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| Rhodesia has been thrown out of the Olympic Games with just four days to go before the opening ceremony in Munich, Germany.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted by 36 to 31 with three abstentions to recommend Rhodesia's expulsion in the face of mounting international pressure. Two days ago the National Olympic Committees of Africa threatened to pull out of the games unless Rhodesia was barred from competing. The African nations were demanding Rhodesia's expulsion on the grounds the country was an illegal regime and members of its team were not therefore British subjects. Seven years ago Ian Smith declared Rhodesia's independence from Britain and then in March 1970 he announced the country was a republic - breaking its last link with the crown and ending any hopes of black majority rule. The IOC issued Rhodesia's invitation to the West German games on certain conditions, which included appearing under their old colonial flag. In a bid to appease the IOC, the Rhodesian team did arrive in West Germany with the Southern Rhodesian flag - made up of a Union Jack and a coat of arms on a blue background - and stood to attention when the national anthem, God Save the Queen, was played. But comments by the Rhodesian team manager, Ossie Plaskitt, when the team arrived in Munich did little to smooth over the disagreement. He was quoted as saying : "We are ready to participate under any flag, be it the flag of the boy scouts or the Moscow flag. But everyone knows very well that we are Rhodesians and will always remain Rhodesians." The decision is a blow for the retiring IOC president, Avery Brundage, who had argued for Rhodesia's inclusion in the games. He told reporters he was "shocked and surprised" by the decision. He continued: "The political pressures in sport are becoming intolerable." Many of the Rhodesian athletes were in tears when they heard the news. The 44-strong team of black and white Rhodesians will, however, be allowed to stay in Munich to watch the games. In the Rhodesian capital, Salisbury, sports officials said the decision was a disgrace. A spokesman for the prime minister said there was "no doubt that the Olympics are in the hands of the politicians". |
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Andrew Young Kim Brandt Joan Diamond N. Sidelsky Adrienne Wilson Freddie Morgan O. Foster Richard Foster Dave Franks Mickey Flint Rex Killick Pat Morganrood Sandy Morganrood Don Libermann : Diving Terry Rossiter : Diving Rob Stewart : Diving Evan Stewart : Diving Geof Cox : Diving Tracy Cox : Diving |
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