Tim Watt: Africa

Estle flies out to Athens on Tuesday

The Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa Mr. Jannie Momberg, the Minister of Sport & Recreation Mr. Makhenkesi Stofile, and the President of NOCSA Mr. Sam Ramsamy request the pleasure of the company of Ms Estle Viljoen to a welcoming reception in honour of the South African Olympic Team on Wednesday, 11 August 2004 at 19:30 hours Venue: 5, Diamantidou Street, P.Psychico, Athens. Estlé, here in excited anticipation at Cafe Uno, Wimbledon Village, 5pm on Sunday, flies out on Tuesday. 'I'm really looking forward to attending the Games opening ceremony on the 12th', she said. The iBook in the shot could detect two Wi-Fi hotspots from opposite Starbucks - unfortunately we couldn't between us guess the logon password. If you look closely you can also see another photo taken before the drinks arrived, with in the background my old neighbour Zhanna (the café manager) showing off her new car (the Micra, not the Porsche). So Estlé could only view the front page of this blog. She's been asked to keep an online diary herself by Tom Pollak for Wimbledon Borough News - so watch this page for an Estlé category linked from the bar on the left. This blogging mania is contagious!

Injured Estle overwhelmed by invite

Tom Pollak - This is London - Hercules Wimbledon's top woman race walker Estle Viljoen has received an unexpected invitation to attend this month's Olympic Games as a guest of South Africa's Ministry of Sport. Viljoen, 34, thought her dreams of appearing at this summer's Games had been dashed when a leg injury made it impossible for her to compete.

SA Thunder for Athens..

Nicoleen Cronje, fresh from winning the Walk the Talk half marathon, is the sole race walker in the South African Olympic Squad travelling today. The team are prepared for temperatures of up to 40C, 80% humidity and the zing of mozzies with by special repellant and 'chilly jumpers'.... Though not selected for the team, Estlé Viljoen has been invited to the Games opening ceremony as guest of the country's ambassador. "I'm very excited" she said, after a early run this morning on Wimbledon Common. The South African walker is under-intruction not to race walk due to her knee injury, but says she's still training hard.