A few days right after the 2024 Olympics, more action is on the way! With just 16 days to go, the 2024 Paralympic Games kick off in Paris and many exceptional para-athletes from South Africa are aiming to bring back the gold, silver or bronze.
The financial incentives for medallists are the same as for the Paris 2024 Olympic athletes: athletes who win gold will be awarded R400 000, with the coach receiving R100 000. Silver medallists will earn R200 000 and R50 000, while the bronze medal reward will be R75 000 and R25 000 for the athlete and coach, respectively.
READ MORE: Here’s How Much SA Olympians Will Get Paid For Winning At The Paris 2024 Games
When are the 2024 Paralympics?
The 2024 Paralympic Games are set to take place in Paris, from 28 August to 8 September 2024. South Africa will participate for the ninth time since its return to the world stage in 1992.
Where can South Africans watch the 2024 Paralympic Games?
Per the Paralympic Games website, South Africans can witness the action on SuperSport. In addition, the Paralympic YouTube channel will show events that can be accessed online.
The South African Female Para-Athletes At The 2024 Paralympic Games
These are the female athletes who will represent South Africa at the 2024 Paralympics.
Athletics
Sprinter Sheryl James, a bronze medallist at the 2020 Paralympics, competes again. Also competing is Liezel Gouws, a world record holder for 800m, this time competing in the 200m and long jump events. Louzanne Coetzee (pictured) will tackle the T11 1 500m and marathon events. Tezna Abrahams will compete in the 200m T44 category.
Field athletics
Discus
Record-breaking discus athlete Simoné Kruger competes in the athletics stadium in the T38 category, alongside our second discus athlete, Yané van der Merwe, who will compete in the F44 event.
Long jump
Tezna Abrahams will also compete in the long jump.
READ MORE: Your Easy Guide To The Paralympics Codes
Boccia
Elanza Jordaan, competing in the BC3 category, will compete in boccia, a Paralympic sport in which athletes throw, kick or use a ramp to try and get a ball closest to the ‘jack’ ball.
Equestrian
Philippa Johnson-Dwyer, a double Paralympic gold medallist, will aim to add to her tally by competing in the equestrian event.
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Para-Triathlon
Kirsty Weir is the only woman competing for South Africa in the para-triathlon event. Her participation follows a years-long health battle. Previously, Weir was diagnosed with neurological lupus, an autoimmune disorder. The passionate athlete will be one to watch.
Swimming
A strong contingent of women are swimming at the Paralympic Games. These include:
- Alani Ferreira (S12 400m Freestyle, SB12 100m Breaststroke, SM12 200m Individual Medley, S12-S13 100m Butterfly)
- Danika Vyncke (SB13 100m Breaststroke)
- Kat Swanepoel (SM5 200m Individual Medley, S5 50m Backstroke, 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, SB4 100m Breaststroke, S14 400m Freestyle)
Wheelchair Tennis
The formidable Kgothatso Montjane, also the first black South African woman to win at Wimbledon when she won the wheelchair women’s doubles, is also competing with Paralympian Mariska Venter, who is also a model.
READ MORE: Kgothatso Montjane Wins French Open Title – The First South African In Years
