Sam Ramsamy still a hands-on Olympic man

BREAKING, aka as break-dancing, might have its roots in the US but when the city of Los Angeles’ Olympic Games organising committee planned for their 2028 hosting of the quadrennial sporting event, they sent it “crashing”.

In breaking parlance, crashing refers to a failed attempt at a dance move.

Sam Ramsamy, 86, a life honorary member and former executive board member of the International Olympic Committee, who is now based in Durban, confirmed that breaking won’t be in the LA 2028 mix.

The Paris performance of Australian breaker Rachael Gunn ‒ aka Raygun ‒ provided a lasting impression that went viral on social media sites, and left many commentators posting disparaging reviews.

“Many people didn’t like her (Gunn) performance. It didn’t leave good vibes. It’s a fairly new sporting code and I’m not sure if it will return to the Olympics.”

Ramsamy believed that breaking’s organisers had much work to do on their sport.

He said before every Olympic Games, apart from the IOC’s 32 core sporting codes, the local organising committee proposed new sporting events that would resonate with people living in host cities.

Paris tabled breaking, surfing, skateboarding and climbing.

Ramsamy said LA’s choices were; flag football (a milder version of gridiron football), lacrosse, cricket, baseball/softball and squash.

“The IOC accepted those proposals last year so that LA’s organising committee has more time to prepare.

“When such proposals come before the IOC, the feasibility and popularity are some of the things that are considered before approval is given.”

Ramsamy said skateboarding, surfing and climbing would also feature in LA.

He was full of praise for Paris’s hosting of the games and their successful implementation of some of their innovations.

He singled out the open-air opening ceremony, that went on in spite of rain, and security measures that ensured the Games were safe despite many security threats.

“Through the cooperation of the French citizens, the games were an astounding success. At every venue I attended there were full houses. This indicated that they were keen to make their presence felt at the games.”

Ramsamy was wowed by the overall fan response to the Rugby 7s competition.

“In the finals of the Rugby 7s there were more than 40 000 people present. For the first time, all the tickets were sold in advance.

“The French men did very well to beat the favourites Fiji. We (Springboks) were lucky to get the bronze medal.”

He said the South African team put up a good overall showing with 6 medals, the second highest by an African nation in Paris, but was frustrated that one or two other athletes who were expected to medal did not make the podium.

Kenya topped the African chart with 11 medals.

Ramsamy was chuffed that sprinter Akani Simbine set aside his disappointment at missing out on a medal in the 100m race by a whisker, but bounced back in the final leg of the 4x100m relay to drive team South Africa in the final leg to a silver medal position.

He had been confident that Tatjana Smith would win gold in the swimming pool and she did.

“I was very happy to have the honour of making a presentation to her for her gold in the 100m breaststroke event.

“It was a proud moment for Tatjana and I to hear our national anthem being played in Paris.”

He said SA showed great improvement in attaining six medals in Paris after just three at Tokyo 2021.

“I anticipate we will do well in LA in four years time. We have some very good youngsters coming through.”

Paris was Ramsamy’s 14th consecutive Olympic Games that he attended. His first was in Munich in 1972.

Ramsamy, who went into exile in the 1970s because of his anti-apartheid activism, said each Games had its own uniqueness and the Games themselves were an assembly of many sports federations.

“It is equivalent to having world champs in more than 40 sporting codes.”

As the first vice-president of World Aquatics, he spent much time at the Paris pool watching the speed swimming events.

“Athletics was my second favourite code to watch because I was an athlete as a youngster.

“I also enjoyed beach volleyball. It was positioned in a very iconic spot with EIffel Tower as a backdrop.”

He ranked Paris as one of his most memorable Olympics.

Barcelona 1992 was also dear to his heart because it also had a friendly and family atmosphere.

“I have a prejudiced leaning towards Barcelona 1992 because I led the SA team, which marked our re-entry into the Olympic fold.”

Ramsamy said he would continue to attend all Games as long as he lives, which was a perk of being a life honorary member, and will participate in all Olympic movement activities apart from voting in their general assembly.