In a broader context, the needs of South Africa's sportsmen and women is low down on the list of priorities facing South Africa's democracy. The Department of Sport is the least funded off all government departments, and for many sport is little more than a healthy pastime. But Sam believes there's more to it than that. But at the same time, I look around here in the athletes village and observe what is happening. Friendships are being made.
People walk and talk together and everybody is playing by the same rules.
It's nation building. Even if you look at the fans who watch the athletics. It's great to see little black kids recognizing their heroes like Marcus la Grange and cheering for them. It's a country effort. With only three days of the games ahead, it's going to be down to the wire for the hosts just as it was in Harare, when South Africa beat Egypt by just two gold medals and one overall.