South Africa's Akani Simbine celebrates after winning the men's 100m during the IAAF Diamond League athletics meeting in Suzhou on April 27, 2024 South Africa's Akani Simbine celebrates after winning the men's 100m during the IAAF Diamond League athletics meeting in Suzhou on April 27, 2024. Photo: Hector Retamal/AFP
As the world counts down to the 2024 Paris Olympics, South Africa, like many other countries around the world, has assembled a formidable team of athletes that will fly the country’s flag high.
During the summer Olympic Games in Tokyo back in 2021, Mzansi athletes managed to walk away with only three medals with two of them coming from swimmer Tatjana Smith.
Smith, in the process of claiming her gold medal in women's 200-meter breaststroke, smashed an 8-year-old world record with an incredible time of 2 minutes and 18.95 seconds.
She also won the silver medal in the 100-metre breaststroke. The other silver medal came from then-27-year-old surfer, Bianca Buitendag, who prevailed in the women's shortboard competition.
As the Olympics edge ever closer, there is no doubt team South Africa will aim for an improved performance in Paris.
With the greatest sporting event on the planet commencing in a weeks time, IOL Sport takes a look at the South African athletes who could potentially claim gold in the City of Light.
Akani Simbine
The 30-year-old sprinter narrowly missed out on the bronze medal in Tokyo after coming in fourth place behind Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse.
This time however, Simbine is in the form of his life having run the fastest time in the world this year in the 100 metres at the Atlanta City Games in the United States.
He will be looking to claim his first Olympic gold medal.
Tatjana Smith
South Africa’s best performer at the last edition of the Olympics, the 200-metre breaststroke and 100-metre breaststroke swimmer will be expected to repeat the heroics of the 2021 Olympics.
Chad le Clos
At 32 years old, Le Clos has amassed plenty of experience during his illustrious swimming career. He has won a combined total of 4 medals at the Olympics.
He will again be one to watch out for this year.
Prudence Sekgodiso
The young middle-distance runner has had a phenomenal year, claiming a win at the Diamond League event in Marrakesh earlier this year.
At just 22 years old, Sekgodiso has the potential to get even better and could shock the world in Paris.
Wayde van Niekerk
Van Niekerk shocked the world at the 2016 Rio Olympics when he obliterated the men's 400m world record on his way to claiming a gold medal.
The now 32-year-old will be eyeing to put up a performance to remember at the upcoming Olympics. He will, however, have his back up against the wall after pulling out of the 400m event and focusing on the 200m instead.
Matthew Sates
At just 20 years old, the swimmer has already competed at the highest level having participated at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as an 18-year-old.
Heading to Paris, he will be looking to use the lessons and experience gained to propel him to his first-ever medal.
IOL Sport