Cabinet on Wednesday congratulated Khotso Mokoena for winning a men's long jump silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

"His achievement came at a time when South Africans had given up hope of getting a medal at these Olympics," government spokesperson Themba Maseko said after Cabinet's fortnightly meeting.

Swimmer Natalie du Toit was also congratulated for being the first disabled athlete to compete with able-bodied athletes at the Olympics.

"Although she did not win a medal, her courage and participation at these Olympics will go down in history as one of the highlights of the Beijing Olympics, and will go a long way towards motivating youth in South Africa and the world never to give up their dreams," Maseko said.

Cabinet called on South Africans to continue to support SA athletes to the end.

Although they had not yet met the expectations of many South Africans with regard to winning medals, it was worth noting that many of them improved their own personal performances.

An assessment would be conducted at the end of these Olympics to determine which steps should be taken to support and develop SA athletes for future games, he said.

Sapa