USSA News Unpatriotic conduct of athlete at the Summer Universiade University Sport South African notes the sudden departure of Mr. Pieter Jacobus Conradie, 400m Athlete who was part of the South African Students Team currently in competition at the 29th Summer Universiade in Chinese Taipei. Mr. Conradie was part of the Team that was announced on 13 July 2017, at a joint press conference held in Pretoria. University Sport South Africa (USSA) had been made aware that he was included in the Senior Athletics SA Team that recently competed at the IAAF world championships that were held in London from 6 – 13 August 2017.). The organisation made the necessary arrangements for an extra night of accommodation in London and a flight to Taipei at the conclusion of the World Champs together with other athletes whom were in the similar situation. On the morning of the 19th of August 2017, Mr Conradie informed his Team Manager, Ms. Hanlie Murray that he is to depart the Athletes’ Village the following day and that all arrangements had been made for him to be a replacement for an injured athlete at the upcoming Diamond Challenge scheduled for the 24th of August 2017, by his agent Mr. Johan Cronje. The request to depart the village had been declined by the team’s Head of Delegation but Mr. Conradie acted contrary to such decision. We wish to register our disappointment by such conduct of the athlete. Such conduct does not represent the values of a true patriotic South African. If USSA had been made aware of such arrangements prior to the team announcement in July 2017, a deserving student from any member university would have been afforded the opportunity to represent his/her country. The Head of Delegation has referred this matter to the USSA NEC for further disciplinary hearing and its findings will be communicated to the athlete (Mr. Conradie), his University (NWU), Athletics SA, SASCOC and the South African Government (Ministry Sports and Recreation). His fellow athletes that are currently at the Summer Universiade have finalised their preparation ahead of the athletics schedule which starts on the morning of the 23rd August 2017. Posted by USSA Communications Unit on 22 Aug, 2017. Source: