Samson Ngoepe, one of South Africa's qualifiers for the Beijing Olympics, won the 800m at the annual Papendal Games in Arnhem, Holland, on Wednesday night and proved that he was returning to his best form with a time of 1 minute and 46.64 seconds.
Olivier, selected to represent South Africa at the forthcoming World Junior Championships in Poland, clocked a personal best of 1 min 46.85 seconds - his first under 1:47.00 - making him the sixth fastest South African Junior of all time.
It also put him in 5th place on the World Best Performance list of 2008. With a view to the world Juniors it makes him the fourth fastest as three are Kenyans. Any country or region is not allowed to select more than two per event.
Etienne Plaatjies also did well with a time of 1 minute 47.57 seconds while Hezekiel Sepeng, national record holder, who is also on his way back, impressed with a time of 1 min 48.80 seconds, the South African Press Association reported.
Sprinters Isabel le Roux (11.76 sec) and Hannes Dreyer (20.92) also did well with victories in the 100 and 200m respectively. Le Roux will represent South Africa at the Olympic Games in the 200 meters.
Javelin thrower Hardus Pienaar, who made his first appearance of the year due to injuries, finished second with a throw of 75.94m while Juanee Cilliers, from Northwest University in Potchefstroom clinched third place in the 800 meters in a fast 2 min 6.54 seconds, third fastest by a South African woman this year and just outside her personal best.
Shaun Bownes (13.96 sec) equalled his fastest of the year in third place of the 110m hurdles final while Ruan de Vries improved his year best to 14.13 seconds with Martin de Bruto hot on his heels in 14.15 seconds.
Mthobisi Baloyi (2nd) also endorsed his fine form with a time of 3 minutes 43.84 seconds in the 1500m for men with another PUK runner, Elroy Gelant (6th) covering the distance in 3 minutes 46.67 seconds.
(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2008)