Cape Town

This is a Feb. 5, 2019 photo provided by Olympic swimmer Erin Gallagher of her swimming under water in Durban, South Africa. Gallagher got COVID-19 late last year and went from elite Olympic athlete in peak condition to lying flat on a bed concentrating on just breathing. And yet she's one of the lucky ones. She recovered and is going to Tokyo. Other African hopefuls have not been so fortunate as the coronavirus surges again across the continent just as the Olympics approach. (Erin Gallagher via AP)

In Africa, virus ruins Olympic dreams and tests dedication

By Gerald Imray Jul. 08, 2021 03:55 PM EDT

Caster Semenya reacts before the women's 5000 meter race in Regensburg, Saturday, June 19, 2021. The two-time 800-meter Olympic champion from South Africa once again missed out on qualifying for the Summer Games in Tokyo during her surprising start in Regensburg. (Stefan Puchner/dpa via AP)

Semenya misses Tokyo, may be forced out of Olympics for good

By Gerald Imray Jul. 03, 2021 02:48 AM EDT

Namibia teenagers barred from Olympic 400 over testosterone

By Gerald Imray Jul. 02, 2021 08:11 AM EDT
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Two 18-year-old runners from Namibia were barred Friday from running in the 400 meters at the Olympics because of high natural...

Britain and Irish Lions' player Louis Rees-Zammit with the rugby team arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, June 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Lions arrive as South Africa goes into stricter lockdown

By Gerald Imray Jun. 28, 2021 11:27 AM EDT

British and Irish Lions' fans pose for photographers before the start of the friendly rugby match between British and Irish Lions and Japan at the Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday, June 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

3 Springboks positive for virus as Lions tour set to begin

By Gerald Imray Jun. 27, 2021 08:52 AM EDT

Virus cases in team Lions due to play in SA tour opener

By Gerald Imray Jun. 11, 2021 06:53 AM EDT
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African rugby canceled Friday a PRO14 game after a coronavirus outbreak in the team the British and Irish Lions are due to...

A woman receives the AstraZeneca vaccine during a mass coronavirus vaccination for public transport workers at the Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, June 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Celebrations (and questions) greet US vaccine donation plan

By Gerald Imray And Kim Tong-Hyung Jun. 10, 2021 03:20 AM EDT

FILE - In this March 5, 2021, file photo, medical staff look out from a window as officials prepare for a ceremony to commence the country's first coronavirus vaccinations using AstraZeneca provided through the global COVAX initiative, at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. In the global race to vaccinate people against COVID-19, Africa is tragically at the back of the pack. And hundreds of thousands of the country's health workers, many of whom come face-to-face with the virus every day, are still waiting for their shots. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

'This IS INSANE': Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine

By Gerald Imray Jun. 09, 2021 02:21 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 file photo, South Africa's Morne Steyn kicks to score on a penalty against Argentina during a Rugby Championship match in Salta, Argentina. South Africa has recalled flyhalf Morne Steyn to a 46-man initial squad for the British and Irish Lions series starting next month. The 36-year-old Steyn hasn’t played a test in five years. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Springboks recall Steyn for Lions, keep bulk of WC winners

By Gerald Imray Jun. 05, 2021 02:08 PM EDT

Health workers vaccinates a pensioner with a first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the newly-opened mass vaccination program for the elderly at a drive-thru vaccination center in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Alarm in Africa: Virus surges, vaccines grind to 'near halt'

By Gerald Imray Jun. 03, 2021 08:32 AM EDT

A health worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the newly-opened mass vaccination program for the elderly at a drive-thru vaccination center outside Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. South Africa aims to vaccinate 5 million of its older citizens by the end of June. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa returns to stricter lockdown, virus 'surging'

By Gerald Imray May. 30, 2021 02:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2020, file photo, IOC President Thomas Bach visits the National Stadium, the main venue for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games postponed until July 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, in Tokyo. Bach has canceled a trip in May 2021 to Japan because of surging cases of COVID-19 in the country, the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee said Monday, May 10, 2021 in a statement. The trip was made impossible because of a state of emergency in Tokyo and other parts of the country that has been extended until May 31. (Behrouz Mehri/Pool Photo via AP, Fo;e)

South Africa shows the complexities of IOC's vaccine offer

By Gerald Imray May. 28, 2021 01:49 PM EDT

Thoko Hlongwane, receives the first dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a health staff member during a vaccination day at a vaccination centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, South Africa, Monday, May 17, 2021. South Africa has started its mass vaccination drive with the goal of inoculating nearly 5 million citizens aged 60 and above by the end of June. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Tutu gets jab to help start inoculation drive

By Mogomotsi Magome May. 17, 2021 06:56 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 file photo, South African captain Siya Kolisi holds the Webb Ellis Cup aloft after South Africa defeated England to win the Rugby World Cup final at International Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. The Springboks will finally get to play as world champions nearly two years on from winning the Rugby World Cup after announcing on Monday May 10, 2021, two home tests against Georgia in July to prepare for the series against the British and Irish Lions. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

Lions tour to SA cut to 3 cities, no fans because of virus

By Gerald Imray May. 14, 2021 05:38 AM EDT

Springboks to warm up for Lions with 1st games in 2 years

By Gerald Imray May. 10, 2021 07:02 AM EDT

Prince Misuzulu Zulu, left, flanked by fellow warriors in traditional dress at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace, during a ceremony, in Nongoma, Friday May 7, 2021. A new Zulu king in South Africa has been named amid scenes of chaos as other members of the royal family questioned Prince Misuzulu Zulu’s claim to the title. He was suddenly whisked away from the public announcement at a palace by bodyguards. The controversy over the next king has arisen after the death in March of King Goodwill Zwelithini, who had reigned since 1968. Zwelithini apparently named one of his six wives, Queen Mantfombi Shiyiwe Dlamini Zulu, as the “regent of the Zulu kingdom” in his will. But her death just over a week ago after holding the title for only a month has thrown the royal succession into turmoil. (AP Photo)

South Africa's royal scandal: New Zulu king's claim disputed

By Gerald Imray May. 08, 2021 06:26 AM EDT

Tampa Bay event moves to late April date, LPGA goes to Asia

By The Associated Press Apr. 27, 2021 12:06 PM EDT
PGA TOUR VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP Site: Palm Harbor, Florida. Course: Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead)....

African Cup qualifier canceled over disputed COVID-19 tests

By Gerald Imray Mar. 30, 2021 07:32 PM EDT
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Benin refused to play a decisive African Cup of Nations qualifying game in Sierra Leone on Tuesday after disputing that five of...

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks past Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook, bottom, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 12, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

African basketball league to go ahead in Rwanda in May

By Gerald Imray Mar. 29, 2021 10:50 AM EDT

FILE — In this Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020 file photo, former South African President, Jacob Zuma, appears at a hearing of the Zondo Commission of Enquiry into State Capture. A special unit in the country is now investigating nearly $900 million worth of possible corruption in the procurement of COVID-19 contracts at the same time that allegations of widespread government graft continues. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, file)

Hope that South Africa's COVID-19 corruption inspires action

By Gerald Imray Mar. 15, 2021 04:26 AM EDT