Government has added its voice to the flood of congratulatory messages from millions of supporters following South Africa's gold medal victory for the 4x100 freestyle swimming relay at the Olympic Games on Sunday.

The four also managed to set a new world record. 

Roland Schoeman, Ryk Neethling, Darian Townsend and Lyndon Ferns earned South Africa its first gold medal at the tournament beating off medal favorites Australia and the United States of America.

Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad said today that the victory showed what stunning success could come out of a democratic South Africa.

"Four South African swimmers have surged to victory in Athens, and this holds promise of more imminent success. Yet this triumph hardly came out of the blue. It was the result of dedicated hard work and commitment. 

"So early on in the Games, it showers laurels of success on our free nation as we commit ourselves daily to achieve success in our national endeavors at the time when we mark the 10th year of our democracy," he said in a statement.

The swimmers set the pool ablaze setting a new world record of 48.96. The previous world record was set up in 2000 by the Australians when they won the gold medal in Sydney. 

"We warmly congratulate on a truly stunning success. This achievement will be widely seen as a spur for all our other sports figures serving in the national team in Athens," said the minister. 

Issued by: GCIS (Government Communication and Information System)- BuaNews 
By Candace Freeman tel: (012) 314 2404