Paris is set to extend its celebrations, welcoming visitors worldwide to witness thrilling performances by the world’s top para-athletes as the 2024 Paralympic Games kick off next week, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Meet the Paralympic Squad representing South Africa in Paris
According to IOL, the festivities will officially begin on 28 August 2024 with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Place de la Concorde, marking the start of 11 days of intense competition for 4400 athletes from around the globe.
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The programme features 22 Paralympic sports, promising unforgettable moments of athletic excellence.
Team South Africa is represented across multiple disciplines, including athletics, archery, cycling, judo, equestrian, triathlon, swimming, boccia, and wheelchair tennis.
Leading the nation at the Paralympics are flag bearers Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a T44 100m sprinter and long jumper, and swimmer Kathrine (Kat) Swanepoel, who will compete in an impressive range of events: the SM5 200m Individual Medley, S5 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, SB4 100m breaststroke, and S14 400m freestyle.
Team South Africa’s lineup also features wheelchair tennis player Lucas Sithole, alongside swimmers Alani Ferreira and Danika Vyncke from KwaZulu-Natal.
Notably, Vyncke will be making her debut at the Paralympic Games, adding to the excitement surrounding the team’s participation.
The 17-year-old visually impaired swimmer from Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, will compete in the 100m breaststroke and 400m freestyle.
‘I feel honoured to represent team SA and I cannot wait to start racing at the games and to gain experience. All the hard training has been done. I am making sure that I am not only strong physically but also mentally.’
‘It is more challenging as a visually impaired athlete in the sense of not being able to see the T sometimes, or having slower turns,’ said the Grade 11 pupil.
Vyncke, ranked 8th in the 100m breaststroke and 11th in the 400m freestyle, qualified for the Paralympics in the S13 100m breaststroke at the 2023 World Champs in Manchester.
The 17-year-old, who began swimming at age five, has competed internationally in two World Series events (France and Egypt), the Manchester World Championship, and the European Open Championship.
Vyncke, who has Stargardt retinal dystrophy—a condition causing vision loss—faces daily challenges due to impaired depth perception.
For Ferreira (26) from Pietermaritzburg, this will be her third Paralympic Games, where she’ll compete in the 100m breaststroke SB12, 400m freestyle S13, and 100m freestyle S12.
‘I am very excited. I absolutely love racing, especially internationally. Being part of Team SA is always an honour. The emotions felt at the team announcement was overwhelming gratitude. Receiving our kit was also a very special moment.’
Ferreira faced a setback with knee surgery in December 2023 but recovered with the help of the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation and the Elite Athlete Development Programme.
Her coach, Wayne Riddin, adjusted her training, allowing her to regain strength and confidence in the water.
Qualifying at the Paraswimming World Champs in September 2023 and again at the Paralympic trials in April, Ferreira is focused on the 100m breaststroke, where she is ranked fourth.
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Diagnosed with Stargardt macular dystrophy at age 12, Ferreira now has about 5% vision.
Despite this, she has competed in the Commonwealth Games and Paraswimming World Championships, winning bronze in the 100m Breaststroke SB12 in 2023.
Sithole (38) a quadriplegic from Newcastle, will compete in both singles and doubles wheelchair tennis.
After a 1998 train accident left him a triple amputee, Sithole, a father of three, embraced life with determination.
He competed in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympics and is eager for Paris.
Starting wheelchair tennis at 21, Sithole became the first African to win the USA Open Title in singles.
Team South Africa will keep you informed with the latest results and standings throughout the Games.
Also read:
Team SA bags seven medals and three world records at Tokyo Paralympics
Picture: Gallo