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Artistic gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz has not let the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics damper her mood.
The 2020 Games were set to kick-off on Friday (24 July), but the coronavirus pandemic has forced a postponement of a year.
On Sunday 2 August, Rooskrantz was due to take to the bars as the first artistic gymnast to represent South Africa at the Olympics in 15 years.
In honour of marking the 18-year-old's journey, Sanlam is supporting her by live streaming her routine from her training facilities in Johannesburg on the exact day she would have performed in Tokyo.
"Of course, this was not Caitlin's plan, but now is the time to be making some new plans," Sanlam's Chief Executive for the Brand, Sydney Mbhele, said via a press statement.
"That's exactly what we do at Sanlam every day by helping people to reach their goals, despite the setbacks and unseen disruptions. Which is why we're only too happy to be supporting Caitlin in still reaching her goals - albeit in a different way. She is an inspiring example for us all of someone that has not let challenges get the better of her, but instead let them make her even better."
Indeed, every achievement in Rooskrantz's life can be tracked back to her always staying flexible and nimble - not just on the gymnastics bars, but regarding her dreams and goals too.
Having endured her fair share of setbacks, Rooskrantz first set her sights on competing in the Olympics at the age of 11. Multiple injuries then followed - a series of which took her out of the competition circuit for almost three consecutive years.
Despite these challenges, Rooskrantz has come back multiple times to prove her mettle.
"I don't think I've given up on anything in my life," Rooskrantz said. "I've always tried to find another way through."
Reflecting on her most recent change of plans (the Olympic Games postponement), she added: "I told my coach - the dream hasn't changed, only the timeline has shifted."
With her sights now set on making her routine even better for the Games next year, the offer to live stream her routine on the day she would have performed is all the extra motivation she needed.
"After months of intense training in preparation for the Olympics, having the opportunity to still be able to perform my routine for South Africa in this way is incredibly exciting."
The live stream of Rooskrantz's performance will be on Sunday, 2 August at www.nowisthetimetoplan.co.za.
- Compiled by Sport24 staff
