Update

GEORGE NEWS - The sooner the date for this year's Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC) is finalised, the better. This widespread cry for certainty has gone up from prospective contestants in this year's OCC.

In the past the OCC usually took place on the second weekend of February, but three weeks into the year, athletes have to make do with the news that it will be on 5 or 12 May. These dates were given in a statement released by the George Municipality last Wednesday, in reply to George Herald's enquiries.

In reply to an e-mail, municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose said on Monday that an announcement will be made this week on the final date selected for the OCC 2019. She did not say when this week and by 12:00 on Wednesday no announcement had been made.

Andrew Stodel, an athlete who has participated in the event at least eight times, said many people in the disabled community are frustrated and upset about the current situation. Most people come from afar and they have a lot of logistics to take care of. "Everyone was planning for 17 February. We're planning to peak for the OCC."

The cycle race is a strongly contested section of the OCC.

Andries Scheepers from Rustenburg in the Northwest said he would like to know what the date is so that he can plan ahead. "I am planning to participate and am waiting for a final date."

An athlete from the Southern Cape who prefers to stay anonymous, stressed that athletes need to plan. "People must take leave from work and make reservations at hotels. Without a date you can't finalise anything. I made arrangements at a hotel in George for 17 February but had to cancel it."

Ansie Swart, who was on the organising committee for a decade and held the position of organising director for five years, said she receives calls on a daily basis from people who would like to know what is going on. "I don't know what to tell them. I can hear the disappointment in their voices."

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