Durban — Team South Africa is ready for Olympic glory and to realise their dreams on the world stage in Paris when the 2024 Olympic Games begin this week.
Sporting green and gold are about 140 athletes for Team SA, across 19 sports codes, such as aquatics, athletics, triathlon, archery, hockey, surfing, canoeing, badminton, cycling, equestrian, wrestling, fencing, golf, judo, skateboarding, gymnastics, rugby sevens (men) and rowing.
Carrying the nation’s flag for Team SA will be Akani Simbine, 30, who will participate in the 100 metres and gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz (22).
At the Tokyo 2020 Games, Team SA had 179 athletes participating in 17 codes of sport. They brought back three medals, a gold and silver from swimmer Tatjana Smith (Schoenmaker) and silver from surfer Bianca Buitendag. That was the largest squad to represent the country at an Olympic Games. This year there are fewer team sports represented, with football and water polo missing out on Paris, having been part of the Tokyo team.
South Africa competed at 12 Olympics from 1904 to 1960 before being banned until 1992 due to the country’s apartheid policy. They won 10 medals at each of the 1920 and 1952 Games.
Since returning from isolation in 1992, South Africa has won 38 medals from the eight Games attended, with London 2012 seeing them earn 10 medals. The medals won breakdown since readmission were 11 gold, 18 silver and 9 bronze. Four Olympic champions in this year’s team include Tatjana Smith and Chad Le Clos, Wayde van Niekerk, John Smith and Henri Schoeman. Also part of Team SA is multiple men’s 100m finalist Simbine and marathon runner Gerda Steyn.
“Being chosen to represent one’s country is always an honour. However, that honour seems to be amplified when it comes to being selected for an Olympic Games. For many athletes going to Paris to compete in these Games will be the highlight of their careers. What has to be remembered is that the Olympics are the ultimate multi-code Games in sport,” said Barry Hendricks, president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC).
“Team SA’s athletes will compete proudly with the other nations, and each and every one of them is an ambassador for our country. Of course, medals are important, and we have financial incentives in place, but this really is about showing one’s talents and being part of the Olympic family,” he said.
The financial incentive for athletes who win gold will be R400 000, with the coach receiving R100 000. Silver medallists will earn R200 000 and R50 000. Bronze medal pay-outs will be R75 000 and R25 000. For relays and team sports, an amount of R100 000 per athlete and coach has been earmarked, a silver nets each athlete and coach R75 000, while the incentive for bronze is R50 000.
Making his debut at the Olympic Games is surfer Jordy Smith, who qualified for the 2024 Olympics through the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador. Smith, and fellow SA surfers, Matt McGillivray and Sarah Baum will participate in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, a much-revered surf location with waves that can get big and terrifying. Smith will come up against Ethan Ewing (Australia) and Tim Elter (Germany) in his first-round encounter.
Durban-born Smith said he feels good, relaxed and in a good head space, adding that it was now just up to Mother Nature to deliver some awesome waves.
Smith, 36, qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games but was unfortunately injured a month before the event.
“It was super sad not to be able to participate in the games. Fortunately, I recovered really well and pushed hard to make it back and now into this year’s Paris games. There are not too many times in life you get a second shot at something so I’m going to make it count,” he said.
“Teahupo’o is an intense venue, so there is much anticipation around the event. I think we’ve got a very confident and strong team, with Matt and Sarah, so hopefully we can bring home some medals. It always feels pretty electric at Teahupo’o, especially when there are waves, everyone wants to get a great barrel.
“With the ocean, you never really know what you’re going to get. But we will have warm water, a reef break and I’ve got a lot of experience at the surf spot so now it’s just about showing up and giving it everything. They are all great surfers. The locals are going to be the toughest because they have grown up surfing the reef and understand the waves really well,” said Smith.
Reza De Nicker, surfing team manager, said the athletes have reached the pinnacle of sports, the Olympic Games.
“The stage is right before them as we embark on a life-changing journey. Being in their corner is a humbling experience and a huge honour. They are as ready as possible with all the hard work already; now they just have to shine and soak it all in,” said Nicker.
Ready to take to the track is sprinter Zakithi Nene, who specialises in the 400-metre event.
Formerly from Ladysmith in northern KwaZulu-Natal and now based in Durban, Nene participated in the Tokyo Olympics and was knocked out in the heats.
“I think I have now had a bit more experience leading up to Paris. I’ve competed in a lot of the circuits and ran against most of the guys. It has been a confidence booster. I feel like I’ve established myself as an athlete on the circuits. I have more experience compared to when I went to Tokyo. That was the first time representing my country in an individual event.
“My biggest competitor will be myself as I have set goals for myself. I am keeping a really cool head right now and focusing on my training and making sure that I’m in the best shape possible,” said Nene.
Nene, who ranks number 15 in the world, has been training in Switzerland for the last five weeks.
This week Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie vowed to do everything in his power to ensure sprinter Luxolo Adams goes to the Olympics. Adams has threatened legal action after being dropped from Team South Africa.
In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Adams said he felt he had been unfairly treated by Athletics South Africa (ASA).
He said the decision had been incredibly disheartening, especially considering the journey he had undertaken and the mental and physical challenges he has faced.
“I want to set a precedent for all athletes. Athletes’ dreams should not be crushed by power plays and politics. I will continue to fight for fairness, transparency, and the mental well-being of all athletes,” said the statement.
According to a media report, a letter from ASA coordinator Hezekiel Sepeng to Adams, the sports body indicated that it had discussed the issue with the athlete and that he had accepted the decision.
Sunday Tribune