Olympics: Latest News, Interviews and Insights
The Olympic Games is truly the king table of the sporting world. It is a culmination of the very best athletes in the world, coming together to put on a showpiece which has defied the laws of time and still captures the imagination of fans around the world. From a South African perspective, it has and always will be a testament to the unwavering belief in our unified, yet diverse, abilities.
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Former South African Olympian and Tuks University Athletics Head Coach, Hendrick Mokganyetsi, praised sprinters Akani Simbine and Gift Leotlela for their performances at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Despite not securing podium finishes, Mokganyetsi believes in their potential to defend the 4x100m relay title. Without Bayanda Walaza due to injury, Walaza is in a good mental state as he focuses on recovery for future competitions. Former South African Olympian and Tuks University Athletics Head Coach, Hendrick Mokganyetsi, praised sprinters Akani Simbine and Gift Leotlela for their performances at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Despite not securing podium finishes, Mokganyetsi believes in their potential to defend the 4x100m relay title. Without Bayanda Walaza due to injury, Walaza is in a good mental state as he focuses on recovery for future competitions.
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Historical Overview of South Africa in the Olympics
A closer look at the rich history South Africa has with the Olympic Games
The Early Years and Apartheid Era
Since making its debut back in 1904, South Africa has celebrated incredible achievements and mourned some horrible history with respect to the games. South Africa’s triumphant return in 1992 – after the end of the Apartheid regime – has further entrenched national pride among South Africans from all walks of life and served as a platform for social progress and global excellence.
Due to the global community condemning the Apartheid regime in South Africa, we had to endure a ban from the Olympics between 1960 and 1992.
Reintegration and Post-Apartheid Era
For the first time at the Barcelona games, the country was welcomed back into the global community following political reform and an end to an exclusionary social model.
South Africa’s glorious flag was hoisted high and athletes from our country were once again able to compete.
One of the more iconic immediate successes for South Africa was that of Elana Meyer. She won a silver medal in the women’s 10,000-meter race – and who can forget her post-race embrace with Ethiopian bronze medalist, Derartu Tulu?
These were the pioneers who helped restore our global image and ensured there was once again respect and acceptance for our nation.
Notable South African Olympians
SportsBoom takes a closer look at our South African Olympians who saw their name written into the annals of eternity.
Josia Thugwane
The first Black South African to win an Olympic Gold medal. His massive win came in 1996, just two years after Nelson Mandela was elected as President. A marathon winner who almost personified the ‘marathon’ the country had just completed politically. Josia Thugwane made his impossible dream, possible – and in the process inspired an entire generation.
Penny Hayns
Hayns would dominate the 1996 Atlanta Games, winning gold in both the 100m and the 200m breaststroke events. Interestingly, she is currently the only woman to achieve this double in the same Olympic Games.
Wade Van Niekerk
Wayde Van Niekerk//Getty Images
Aah yes, the 2016 Rio Olympics. Wade would stun the world and break an eternal record set by Michael Johnson – claiming the 400m gold medal in the process. He would become an instant hero at home, ensuring his name was known around the globe and reminding everyone why he is considered one of the greatest sprinters of all time.
Caster Semenya
The absolute ruler of the 800m event, Semenya would win Olympic Gold at both the 2012 games in London and the 2016 event in Rio. She is a true testament to resilience and talent, having to endure incredible scrutiny and controversy, both of which threatened to undo her success. In true South African spirit though, she is still seen as an idol and example for many.
Chad Le Clos
Headlining the 2012 London Olympic Games, defeating the legend that is Michael Phelps and claiming gold in the 200m butterfly event. Le Clos also went on to win a silver medal in the 100m butterfly event and followed that up with two more silvers in Rio four years later.
Chad Le Clos will be remembered as one of South Africa’s greatest Olympians.
South Africa’s Performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics
How did South Africa do at the 2024 Olympic Games?
Our Medal Achievements
Gold Medal:
- Tatjana Smith (Women’s 100m Breaststroke)
Tatjana Smith of Team South Africa//Getty Images
Silver Medal:
- Tatjana Smith (Women’s 200m Breaststroke)
- Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana, Akani Simbine (Men’s 4x100m Relay)
- Jo-Ane van Dyk (Women’s Javelin Throw)
Bronze Medal:
- Alan Hatherly (Men’s Cross-Country Cycling)
- Blitz Boks (Men’s Rugby 7s)
Emerging Talents
As we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, there are a host of young talents South Africans can look forward to seeing.
Names such as,
- Tatjana Smith
- Bayanda Walaza
- Bradley Nkoana
- Alan Hatherly
are all incredibly young. Yes, they have already made history by achieving a medal at the 2024 edition of the Olympics – but you would hazard a guess that their best days are still ahead of them.
Our government has also launched what they call ‘Project 300’ – an initiative to see 300 athletes sent to the Olympics in 2028. This will mean a greater influence on identifying and then developing young talent throughout the country, but it also ensures we have more names in the proverbial medal hat.
The Future of South Africa in the Olympics
South Africa has already expressed an interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. Should South Africa be successful, this would be the first time the event would be hosted on African soil and given how we hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup – it would surely be an absolute (African) spectacle.
Through this bid and the Project 300 initiative, there has already been an added focus on developing and assisting young talent.
Our sporting academies through our Universities and High Schools are always being bolstered. The addition of ‘SuperSport Schools’ coverage on national television and the professional approach to hosting tournaments have all aided in ensuring we have a functional platform for this approach.
Recent Olympic Highlights
| Event | Athlete(s) | Medal |
| Women’s 100m Breaststroke | Tatjana Smith | Gold |
| Women’s 200m Breaststroke | Tatjana Smith | Silver |
| Men’s 4x100m Relay | Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana, Akani Simbine | Silver |
| Women’s Javelin Throw | Jo-Ane van Dyk | Silver |
| Men’s Cross-Country Cycling | Alan Hatherly | Bronze |
| Men’s Rugby 7s | Blitz Boks | Bronze |
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