The Paris 2024 Olympics have kicked off with a bang for South Africa! Team South Africa has already secured three medals in Paris, matching our total medals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

With these early wins, South Africa is making waves at the Paris Games, and there’s much more to look forward to as our athletes continue their quest for glory!

South Africa’s podium triumphs so far

Tatjana Schoenmaker, now competing as Tatjana Smith, delivered a stunning performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning gold in the 100m breaststroke. Her time of 1:05.28 secured her the top spot on the podium. This win reaffirms her status as a world-class swimmer and sets the stage for her upcoming challenge in the 200m breaststroke, where she aims to make history as the first South African to earn three Olympic golds.

But that’s not all! We’ve also snagged two impressive bronze medals. Alan Hatherly made history by becoming the first South African cyclist since 1956 to win an Olympic medal. 

Competing in the cross-country event at the Colline d’Élancourt, Hatherly showed incredible grit and determination. Despite slipping to fifth after leading the opening lap, he managed to surge back to third, securing a spot on the podium. Hatherly finished just 11 seconds behind the gold medalist, with a time of 1:26:33. This bronze medal marks a significant achievement not only for Hatherly but also for South African cycling.

The Blitzboks, our rugby sevens team, also brought home bronze, ending their challenging season on a high note. Coach Philip Snyman praised his players’ determination and resilience. 

The team had a rocky start, losing to Ireland and New Zealand in pool play. However, a crucial win against Japan secured their spot in the quarter-finals. They then stunned New Zealand in the quarters but fell to France in the semi-finals. In the thrilling bronze medal match against Australia, the Blitzboks emerged victorious with a 26-19 win. 

As it stands, Team South Africa has already clinched a gold medal thanks to Tatjana’s stellar performance. We’ve also secured two bronze medals, bringing our total to three. With many events still to come, our medal tally could see some exciting additions.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming events and athletes to watch

Swimming to glory

Our queen of the pool, Tatjana Smith, has been on fire! Smith started the Games with a bang by cruising through her heats and advancing to the finals of the 200m breaststroke. Remember, she’s the defending champion in this event, and all eyes are on her to make history by winning back-to-back golds. 

Kaylene Corbett, swimming alongside Tatjana, surprised us all by finishing second in her semi-final heat and securing a spot in the finals, tonight at 9pm. Could we see two South Africans on the podium? It’s looking promising!

And let’s not forget Pieter Coetze, our young backstroke sensation. Pieter has been making waves by finishing third-fastest in the semi-finals in the 200m backstroke. With his confidence and recent international successes, he’s another medal hopeful for Team SA.

Track and field hopes

On the track, Akani Simbine is running like the wind. He clocked a blistering 9.86 seconds in the 100m just before the Games, tying for the fifth-fastest time this year. Akani finished fourth in Tokyo, but he’s gunning for a spot on the podium this time around. His teammate, Benjamin Richardson, also ran an impressive 9.86 seconds, though it was his first time breaking the 10-second barrier. Together with Shaun Maswanganyi, they’re forming a formidable 4x100m relay team.

The track and field events will begin on Thursday, 1 August, and the ever-inspiring Wayde van Niekerk, world record holder in the 400m, is switching things up in Paris. He’s competing in the 200m and is part of our strong 4x400m relay team, which recently won silver at the World Relay Championships. 

South Africa’s athletes have already given us plenty to cheer about at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. From Tatjana’s golden triumphs in the pool to Hatherly’s historic bronze in cycling and the Blitzboks’ thrilling rugby sevens victory, our Olympians are showcasing their incredible talent and determination. As we look forward to more events, let’s keep cheering on Team SA and celebrating their remarkable achievements.