“CONGRATULATIONS to the four athletes who have the honour of being flag bearers for Team SA in Paris, where they will be in full view at the opening ceremony of the respective Games – watched all over the world. It is indeed a moment that celebrates our hashtag of ‘For My Country’.”
Those are the words of jubilant SASCOC CEO, Nozipho Jafta, at the recent Team SA send-off gala dinner, as the team prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, in France.
The Olympics begin from 26 July to 11 August, followed by the Paralympics a few weeks later, which will be held from 28 August to 8 September.
The four flag bearers are for both the Olympics and the Paralympic Games, namely Akani Simbine and Caitlin Rooskrantz (Olympics) and Mpumelelo Mhlongo and Kathrine (Kat) Swanepoel (Paralympics).
All of the athletes were part of the Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021 due to Covid-19).
Wishing all of the athletes well on their way, the President of SASCOC, Barry Hendricks says: “The last Olympics and Paralympics were held in 2021, postponed a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They were held in an understandably and necessarily confined environment, but you can feel the energy this time around.
There is such a buzz around the whole Games, and Team South Africa is ready and committed to playing its full part in its success.
“I want to thank the SASCOC Board, our sponsors and partners, and the Department of Sport, Art, and Culture for all their assistance and input so far. To the athletes, remember that you are ambassadors for our country.
Importantly, for many, it will be the highlight of your careers, so remember to soak it all in, make new friends, and experience different cultures.
These are life experiences. Well done to all those who have been selected,” Hendricks added.
Meanwhile, SASCOC received a considerable boost when additional names and sporting codes were revealed, including further financial incentives for medallists.
SASCOC confirmed the approval of teams presented by the respective federations to be added to the list of codes and athletes announced a month ago. On that occasion, 39 members across seven sports were named. Included in the announcement was the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay squad, which both qualified at the World Relay Championships recently held in the Bahamas.
Significant other names added to Team SA include Johanita Scholtz, a double African Games gold medallist in badminton, Henri Schoeman, a triathlete, and John Smith, a rower.
Smith, who won gold in London 2012, will attend his fourth Olympics, which will equal the tally of most ever by a South African. Schoeman will be at his third Games and is also a former medallist (bronze at Rio 2016).
Names released are:
ATHLETICS (14)
Men: Shaun Maswangani (200m, 4x100m), Francois Prinsloo (discus), Elroy Galant (marathon), Akani Simbine (4x100m), Bayanda Walaza (4x100m), Bradley Nkoana (4x100m), Benjamin Richardson (4x100m), Wayde van Niekerk (4x400m), Lythe Pillay (4x400m), Zakithi Nene (4x400m), Gardeo Isaacs (4x400m), Antonie Nortje (4x400m)
Reserves: Sinesipho Dambile, Adrian Swart
Management: Jean Verster, Hezekiel Sepeng, Paul Gorries, Maritz Coetzee, Samuel Sepeng, Mike Mbambani, John Smit, Neil Cornelius
ARCHERY (1)
Men: Wian Roux (recurve)
Coach/Manager: Patrick Roux
BADMINTON (1)
Women: Johanita Scholtz
Coach/Manager: Dillan Schaap
CYCLING (7)
Men: Ryan Gibbons (road), Jean Spies (track), Alan Hatherley (MTB)
Women: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (road), Tiffany Keep (road), Candice Lill (MTB), Miyanda Maseti (BMX)
Management: Ciska du Plessis-Austin, Nicole Shuttlewortth, Benedict Moqumo, Barry Austin, Jean-Pierre Jacobs, Tyler Klumper, Brigitte Mileson
FENCING (1)
Men: Harry Saner (epee)
Coach/Manager: Guennadi Tychler
HOCKEY (36)
Men: Daniel Bell, Dayaan Cassiem, Mustapha Cassiem, Calvin Davis, Matthew Guise-Brown, Andrew Hobson, Keenan Horne, Gowan Jones, Ryan Julius, Tevin Kok, Zenani Kraai, Samkelo Mvimbi, Nqobile Ntuli, Bradley Sherwood, Nicholas Spooner, Jacques van Tonder
Reserves: Hendrik Kriek, Nduduza (Peabo) Lembethe
Management: Donavin George, Cheslin Chie, Siphesihle Ntuli, Devon van der Merwe
Women: Taheera Augousti, Quanita Bobbs, Stephanie Botha, Dirkie Chamberlain, Erin Christie, Kayla de Waal, Paris-Gail Isaacs, Marie Antoinette Louw, Ongeziwe Mali, Ntsopa Mokoena, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Hannah Pearce, Celia Seerane, Anelle van Deventer, Onthatile Zulu
Reserves: Aphiwe Dimba, Kayla Swarts
Management: Lynn Abrahamse, Giles Bonnet, Marcelle Keet, Wayne Lombard
ROWING (2)
Men: John Smith (pair), Christopher Baxter (pair)
Coach/Manager: Tiago Loureiro
RUGBY WOMEN SEVENS (16)
Women: Liske Lategan, Ayanda Malinga, Shona-Leah Weston, Kemisetso Baloyi, Zintle Mpupha, Sizophila Solontsi, Mathrin Simmers, Nadine Roos, Elizabeth Janse van Rensburg, Veroeshka Grain, Marlize de Bruin, Maria Tshiremba, Byrhabdre Dolf, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zandile Masuku, Eloise Web
Management: Mokgatjane Leseke, Renfred Dazel, Cecil Afrika, Obakeng Molopyane
TRIATHLON (3)
Men: Henri Schoeman, Jamie Riddle
Women: Vicky van der Merwe
Management: Riana Robertson, Lindsey Parry
o Equestrian
o Golf
o Judo
o Rowing
o Skateboarding
Still have an opportunity to qualify:
o Athletics
o Beach Volleyball
o Breaking
o Cycling
o Rugby Sevens Men
Financial Incentives
SASCOC has also announced further financial incentives for those athletes and teams that will earn medals in Paris.
· For relays and team sports (Hockey and Rugby):
o An amount of R 100 000 per athlete and the coach for a gold medal;
o R 75 000 per athlete and the coach for a silver medal; and
o R 50 000 per athlete and the coach for a bronze medal.
o
· Boats (2 people), in line with the May incentives announced:
o R 200 000 per athlete and R 100 000 for the coach for a gold medal;
o R 100 000 per athlete and R 50 000 for the coach for a silver medal;
o R 40 000 per athlete and R 20 000 for coach for a bronze medal.
Financial incentives announced last month for Team SA medallists at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
o Athletes who win gold will be awarded R 400 000, with the coach receiving R 100 000.
o Silver medallists will earn R 200 000 and R 50 000; while
o Bronze medal pay-outs will be R 75 000 and R 25 000 for the athlete and coach, respectively.
The updated Team SA squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics is:
AQUATICS (9)
Men: Pieter Coetze (100m, 200m backstroke), Chad le Clos (100m butterfly), Matthew Sates (100m, 200m butterfly and 200m IM)
Women: Aimee Canny (200m freestyle), Kaylene Corbett (200m breaststroke), Erin Gallagher (100m butterfly), Rebecca Meder (200m IM), Tatjana Smith (100m, 200m breaststroke), Julia Vincent (diving, 3m springboard)
ARCHERY (1)
Men: Wian Roux (recurve)
Coach/Manager: Patrick Roux
ATHLETICS (19)
Men: Luxolo Adams (200m), Elroy Galant (marathon), Gardeo Isaacs (4x400m), Shaun Maswangani (200m, 4x100m), Stephen Mokoka (marathon), Zakithi Nene (400m, 4x400m), Bradley Nkoana (4x100m), Antonie Nortje (4x400m), Lythe Pillay (400m, 4x400m), Francois Prinsloo (discus), Benjamin Richardson (200m, 4x100m), Akani Simbine (100m, 4x100m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Wayde van Niekerk (400m, 4x400m), Jovan van Vuuren (long jump), Bayanda Walaza (4x100m), Adriaan Wildschutt (5000m, 10000m)
Women: Marione Fourie (100mH), Zeney Geldenhuys (400mH), Rogail Joseph (400mH), Cian Oldknow (marathon), Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), Gerda Steyn (marathon), Irvette van Zyl (marathon)
Reserves: Sinesipho Dambile, Adrian Swart
Management: Jean Verster, Hezekiel Sepeng, Paul Gorries, Maritz Coetzee, Samuel Sepeng, Mike Mbambani, John Smit, Neil Cornelius
BADMINTON (1)
Women: Johanita Scholtz
Coach/Manager: Dillan Schaap
CANOEING (4)
Men: Andrew Birkett (kayak sprint), Hamish Love more (kayak sprint)
Women: Tiffany Koch (kayak sprint), Esti Olivier (kayak sprint)
Management: Nkosi Mzolo (coach), Janet Simpkins (manager)
CYCLING (7)
Men: Ryan Gibbons (road), Jean Spies (track), Alan Hatherley (MTB)
Women: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (road), Tiffany Keep (road), Candice Lill (MTB), Miyanda Maseti (BMX)
Management: Ciska du Plessis-Austin, Nicole Shuttlewortth, Benedict Moqumo, Barry Austin, Jean-Pierre Jacobs, Tyler Klumper, Brigitte Mileson
GYMNASTICS (1)
Women: Caitlin Rooskrantz (artistic)
Coach/Manager: Ilse Pelser (coach)
HOCKEY (36)
Men: Daniel Bell, Dayaan Cassiem, Mustapha Cassiem, Calvin Davis, Matthew Guise-Brown, Andrew Hobson, Keenan Horne, Gowan Jones, Ryan Julius, Tevin Kok, Zenani Kraai, Samkelo Mvimbi, Nqobile Ntuli, Bradley Sherwood, Nicholas Spooner, Jacques van Tonder
Reserves: Hendrik Kriek, Nduduza (Peabo) Lembethe
Management: Donavin George, Cheslin Chie, Siphesihle Ntuli, Devon van der Merwe
Women: Taheera Augousti, Quanita Bobbs, Stephanie Botha, Dirkie Chamberlain, Erin Christie, Kayla de Waal, Paris-Gail Isaacs, Marie Antoinette Louw, Ongeziwe Mali, Ntsopa Mokoena, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Hannah Pearce, Celia Seerane, Anelle van Deventer, Onthatile Zulu
Reserves: Aphiwe Dimba, Kayla Swarts
Management: Lynn Abrahamse, Giles Bonnet, Marcelle Keet, Wayne Lombard
FENCING (1)
Men: Harry Saner (epee)
Coach/Manager: Guennadi Tychler
ROWING (2)
Men: John Smith (pair), Christopher Baxter (pair)
Coach/Manager: Tiago Loureiro
RUGBY WOMEN SEVENS (16)
Women: Liske Lategan, Ayanda Malinga, Shona-Leah Weston, Kemisetso Baloyi, Zintle Mpupha, Sizophila Solontsi, Mathrin Simmers, Nadine Roos, Elizabeth Janse van Rensburg, Veroeshka Grain, Marlize de Bruin, Maria Tshiremba, Byrhabdre Dolf, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zandile Masuku, Eloise Web
Management: Mokgatjane Leseke, Renfred Dazel, Cecil Afrika, Obakeng Molopyane
SPORT CLIMBING (4)
Men: Joshua Bruyns (speed climbing), Mel Janse van Rensburg (lead & boulder)
Women: Aniya Holder (speed climbing), Lauren Mukheibir (lead & boulder) Management: Dean Bruyns (manager), John-David Muller (official coach)
SURFING (3)
Men: Matthew McGillivray, Jordy Smith
Women: Sarah Ann Baum
Management: Christopher Bond (coach), Rezar De Nicker (coach, manager)
TRIATHLON (3)
Men: Henri Schoeman, Jamie Riddle
Women: Vicky van der Merwe
Management: Riana Robertson, Lindsey Parry
WRESTLING (1)
Men: Nicholas Steyn (92kg)
Coach/Manager: Jan Roets
Image provided (SASCOC CEO Nozipho Jafta, SASCOC Pres Barry Hendricks, Para-Olympians, athletes and some of torch-bearers at the Team SA announcement for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, in Paris.)
