Kesa Molotsane confident SA women’s marathon team will shine in Paris Olympics

South African marathon record holder Gerda Steyn, champion of both the Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons, will compete alongside Irvette Van Zyl, a four-time winner of the Soweto Marathon, and Cian Oldknow, the current South African marathon champion.

Molotsane expressed confidence in the trio’s potential for success at the Olympics and extended her best wishes to them for the marathon next month.

"Just checking back, we have really struggled to get women qualifying for the Olympic Games. For us to get three at this point we are really excited in their behalf and wishing them well,” Molotsane said.

“We are wishing nothing but the best of luck to them and obviously with the marathon that is upcoming at the Olympics, I think the three of them will have at least each other to at least run through the race up until the finish and hopefully we'll get a finish from all three.”

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Molotsane hopes that the two seasoned runners, Van Zyl, making her fourth Olympic appearance, and Steyn, attending her second, will guide debutant Cian Oldknow.

By sharing their experience and insights, they aim to help her navigate and manage the pressure of performing on such a grand stage.

"We hope that the two seniors, the older ones like Irvete Van Zyl and Gerda who've already experienced Olympic games in the previous years could just take Cian by hand, just to give her a bit of advice and guidance into the competition and into the games," she added.