The Olympic Roads

South African Heroes

South African Heroes

5 days later in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nicholas Speedster was in the Johannesburg Stadium getting ready for his Olympic trials. 

He brought his team with him for the extra support. He was really excited about his opportunity to potentially represent South Africa at the Olympics. 

But that wasn't the only support he'd have with him. 

His father, Alden and mother, Alexa had come to see him as well. They lived in a tough, deprived area of Johannesburg with Nicholas for the first six years of his life and managed to break out of the poverty stricken area. 

Alden became a marathon runner and competed in the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon. 

The Two Oceans Marathon was established in 1970 and was run over 35 miles. It starts in Newlands and finishes in the University of Cape Town campus. 

The Comrades Marathon is 56 miles long and is the ultimate test of a runner's strength and stamina. It was established in 1921 and alternates between two courses every year. One that goes uphill starting from Durban and one that goes downhill starting from Pietermaritzburg. 

Alden was then spotted by a fellow South African, Gert Thys. 

Gert was in two Olympic Games, Atlanta and Athens and although he didn't win medals at either, he did win 3 marathons in Japan including the Tokyo Marathon. 

He asked Alden if he would like to compete in Beijing Olympics. Alden grabbed the opportunity and managed to finish 12th out of 95 runners who started the race. He also competed in the 2010 Beijing Marathon and finished 3rd, just behind Gert. 

Alexa on the other hand became a successful charity volunteer for Oxfam and helped the area she and Alden escaped poverty by providing better housing, cleaning facilities and medical care. 

Nicholas meanwhile managed to escape by sneaking onto a plane to the UK where he met Sonic for the first time. 

His relay team would consist of Dominick Mensah, Henrik Contee and Henman Owusu. They were from Cape Town and knew each other as they met Nicholas as well as each other at the World Cup. 

So no surprises about what they brought back from the tournament. 

Yes, this is South Africa and that meant only one thing...the very loud and infamous vuvuzela. 35000 of them to be exact. 

Even Sonic had to get some for his team. Even though he didn't like them, he wanted to get everyone into the spirit of South Africa. 

"World Cup all over again!" Even with James shouting over the noise of the vuvuzelas, no one could hear him. 

"Sorry James; can't hear you!" Sonic responded. 

"Right, can everyone settle down as we're about to start the proceedings for today," Nelson Mandela was a former president of South Africa and believed in freedom. "This morning, we'll start with the relay and hurdle events on the track. The hurdle events will be run in heats and the top two athletes from each of those heats, will qualify for this afternoon's final. The field events will run right through the day. This afternoon we'll have the sprints and the top four athletes from those events; will represent South Africa in the forthcoming Summer Olympic Games in London. I'd like to wish all our athletes all the best for what will be a very successful day. Thank you all very much for your cooperation and enjoy the day." 

For Nicholas and his relay team, the trials went like clockwork. They got through in the relay, 100 and 200 metres. They were going to become the youngest athletes to represent South Africa in an Olympic event. 

"Nicholas, congratulations on getting through. Your team mates did well too. We're so proud of you. You'll be great role models for our country. Go forth and do us proud." Alden and Alexa were proud of the achievements set by the athletes today. 

"Well done men, no matter what happens, you will be our South African heroes in London." Nelson Mandela was proud of the athletes as well.

Sometime after the trials finished, Nicholas stayed behind with his relay team to have one last look at the stadium before he went back to the UK to start his training. 

"What a great day guys. It's good to see you again." Nicholas said to his relay team. 

"You were outstanding Speedster. Is it ok if we call you that?" Dominick asked. 

Nicholas nodded. "It's cool. Anyway, I have a proposition for you guys. Come to the UK with me. I'll introduce you to the team and we'll have a great time. You'll get used to the country as well." 

"We'd love to go. So who's the team?" 

"I'll show you when we get there." They all left the stadium and got ready to head to Britain.