A DREAM COME TRUE
UWC alumna Kayla Richards’ realises her Olympic dream By Skhu Nkomphela
O
n writing, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are only a few days away but for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) alumna Kayla Richards, it’s still surreal that she’ll be part of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle, having been confirmed as a member of Team South Africa. The 28-year-old formed part of the medical staff for South Africa, serving as a physiotherapist at the Olympics for the first time. At
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the Games, she worked with the hockey, judo and athletics teams. “My dream of going to the Olympic Games has been with me ever since I was lucky enough to be introduced to sports physiotherapy through UWC,” Richards says. “It took a while for it to sink in and to realise that this is actually happening. Honestly, I didn’t think it would take place when the Olympic Games were postponed last
year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s an honour and a privilege to get to showcase your craft amongst the cream of the crop of athletes from around the globe. I can only grow and progress from this point onwards as I’m not only representing my country, South Africa, but also my family, my community and the many girls who are yet to achieve their dreams.”
