Cape Town - South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president Gideon Sam says South Africa will be targeting 15 medals from the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Sam was speaking at a function in Pretoria on Monday where South Africa's medallists from the recently-completed 2018 Commonwealth Games were congratulated by government and awarded their prize money.
In total, South Africa won 37 medals - 13 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze - on Australia's Gold Coast to finish sixth in the final medals standings.
At the last Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, South Africa finished with a total of 10 medals - two gold, six silver and two bronze - a total which matches their previous record in 1920 and 1952.
Sports minister Tokozile Xasa also addressed the athletes and gave government commitment to helping South Africa prepare for 2020.
"We are here to challenge the federations to support you as much as possible," she said.
"We are looking forward to creating a conducive environment and support you going forward. We will look at how we can build our numbers."
Sascoc president Gideon Sam sets a target of 15 medals for @Tokyo2020. #TeamMzansi
— TeamSouthAfrica (@TeamSA18) April 23, 2018
Sports Minister Tokozile Xasa is the keynote speaker during the presentation of incentives to #TeamMzansi medallists from the @GC2018. pic.twitter.com/eflfU7ro5G
— TeamSouthAfrica (@TeamSA18) April 23, 2018
Presentation of incentives to the medalists of @TeamSA18 at the recent #CommonwealthGames2018 in the Gold Coast... @SPORTandREC_RSA @SPORTATSABC @TokozileXasa pic.twitter.com/ZQx8iKox5m
— Velile Mbuli (@Veli_Mbuli) April 23, 2018