JOHANNESBURG – Athletics South Africa is excited to launch the ASA Athletix Grand Prix Series in which a total prize incentive of R1 365 000.00 is offered to athletes to produce outstanding performances.
This competition will feature three Grand Prix Meetings in March, one month prior to the Commonwealth Games (08 - 15 April 2018 in Australia). South Africa’s finest will have the ideal opportunity to hone their skills in a competitive environment as part of their global preparations.
These Track & Field Meetings will take place in Johannesburg (Thursday, 01 March 2018), Tshwane (Thursday, 08 March 2018) and Paarl (Thursday, 22 March 2018).
This elite series is intended to host and attract top athletes from around the world to test their best performances in South Africa.
The Meetings will have a tight programme lasting for 90 minutes. This will be an exciting evening out for SA athletics fans. Expect a full programme that will be compacted into 90 minutes of athletic action that is sure to have spectators at the edge of their seats.
With the standard of South African athletics showing tremendous improvement over the last few years, there is an ever growing hunger by fans to witness some of the world’s best athletes competing on home soil.
. @_ambitious_jay speaking at the launch of the Athletix Grand Prix Series set for March 2018. We could see some of the world's fastest men race in the series. And we are only talking about local athletes. pic.twitter.com/jfUBZws335
— Ockert de Villiers (@ockertde) December 6, 2017
“We are excited to announce the series which we believe restores our domestic Track & Field season right back on top where it was about a decade ago,” said Aleck Skhosana, the President of ASA. “These Meetings will be explosive, entertaining and of the highest standard.”
“This is the ideal opportunity for our athletes to put in those final touches before heading off to Australia and to other international destinations to represent this country in the best possible shape.”
Four of our current athletes have broken the 10 seconds barrier for the 100m, while two have gone below 20 seconds in the 200m.
South African record holder Akani Simbine, who had a brilliant domestic and international season last year going five times under 10 seconds, is expected to continue his duel with Thando Roto in the 100m, who also dipped under 10 seconds.
World champions Wayde van Niekerk (400m) - recovering from injury, Caster Semenya (800m), Luvo Manyonga (Long Jump) and world number three Ruswahl Samaai (Long Jump,) are also expected to be the highlight of the 2018 season and the Grand Prix is could offer some of them the platform to take off the new season.
The dates and venues for the Athletix Grand Prix Series:
Thursday, 01 March 2018 Ruimsig Stadium, Johannesburg
Thursday, 08 March 2018 LC De Villiers Stadium, Pretoria
Thursday, 22 March 2018 Dal Josaphat Stadium, Paarl
The Athletix Grand Prix Series will be used to select athletes to the national teams.