Originally from Pacaltsdorp near George, Elroy Gelant who is based in Potchefstroom, has qualified for the 5000m final at the Rio Olympics.
Gelant who turns 30 on 25 August holds the South African record for the 5000m which he set at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in Hengelo, The Netherlands in May 2016.
Running in Rio on Wednesday in the second heat of the day, Gelant finished seventh in a time of 13:22.00.
The heat was won by Paul Kipkemoi Chelimo (United States) in 13:19.54. Muktar Edris (Ethiopia) finished in second and Dejen Gebremeskel (Ethiopia) in third.
The final takes place on Sunday, 21 August at 02.30 (SA Time)
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