South Africa finished the 2024 Paris Games with six medals, spanning both the Olympic and Paralympic events, Cape {town} Etc reports.
South Africa was placed 44th in the Olympic rankings, bringing home one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
The Paralympic team also had a strong performance, finishing 43rd, with two gold and four bronze medals.
Also read: SA shines at Paris Paralympics, outperforming Olympic medal count
Team South Africa’s Olympic success
Tatjana Smith won a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke and a silver in the 200m breaststroke, while the men’s 4x100m relay team also won a silver medal. Jo-Ane van Dyk brought home silver in the javelin.
The Springbok Sevens rugby team and cyclist Alan Hatherly, in the mountain biking category, both earned bronze medals, ending off a solid Olympic performance for the country.
Resilience highlighted through Paralympic victories
In the Paralympics, Mpumelelo Mhlongo took home gold in the 100m T44 and bronze in the 200m T64, Discus thrower Simone Kruger dominated the F38 class, securing a gold medal with a throw of 38.70m.
South Africa’s Paralympians were also awarded four bronze medals across multiple disciplines, which included wheelchair tennis and athletics.
Louzanne Coetzee secured bronze in the Women’s 1500m T11, while Pieter du Preez won his bronze medal in the H1 individual time trial.
A moment of transition
The Paris Games were not only just about medals, but it also marked significant transitions for several athletes.
Some retired, while others like Alani Ferreira, faced new classifications due to ‘physical changes’.
Ferreira’s records in the T13 class are still standing, though she hopes rising stars like Danika Vyncke will ‘soon surpass them’.
The country’s athletes consistently pushed beyond their limits, breaking personal, national, and African records.
As the nation celebrates its accomplishments, attention now turns to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles and with promising talent and experienced athletes, the future looks bright for Team SA.
Also read:
SA’s most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith retires after Paris 2024
Picture: Roger Sedres / Gallo Images
