South Africa has announced its squad for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, with financial incentives for medallists mirroring those of Olympic athletes.
Eight new names added to the team that will compete across seven sports at the Games set to take place from 28 August to 8 September.
The additions include representatives from para judo and para triathlon, bringing the total number of sports in which South Africa will compete to seven. The other disciplines are athletics, cycling, equestrian, swimming, and wheelchair tennis.
The Paralympic Games begins following the conclusion of the Olympic Games.
Financial incentives for medallists mirror those of the Olympic athletes. Gold medallists will receive R400,000 (£16,800), with their coaches earning R100,000 (£4,200). Silver medallists will be awarded R200,000 (£8,400), while bronze medallists will receive R75,000 (£3,150).
In recognition of the unique nature of the Paralympics, guides for visually impaired athletes will receive the same payouts as coaches.
The squad includes notable names such as Mpumelelo Mhlongo in athletics, Pieter du Preez in cycling, and Kgothatso Montjane in wheelchair tennis.
Team SA will also compete in boccia, with adjusted incentives for this sport. Gold medallists in boccia will receive R200,000 (£8,400) per athlete and R100,000 (£4,200) for the coach.
The announcement comes as excitement builds for the Paralympic Games, with South Africa hoping to improve on their performance from the previous games.
As the countdown to the opening ceremony continues, Team SA’s athletes will be focusing on their final preparations, aiming to represent their country with pride on the global stage.
The full Team SA squad includes:
ARCHERY
- Men: Shaun Anderson (W1)
- Management: Barbara Manning
ATHLETICS
- Men: Mpumelelo Mhlongo, Kerwin Noemdo, Puseletso Mabote, Collen Mahlalela, Khumo Pitso, Jaco Smit, Daniel du Plessis, Hermanus Blom, Erasmus Badenhorst (guide), Claus Kempen (guide), Paul Daniels
- Women: Simone Kruger, Sheryl James, Louzanne Coetzee, Liezel Gouws, Yane van der Merwe, Tezna Abrahams
- Management: Lappies Swanepoel, Jason Sewanyana, Michael Louwrens, Daniel Damon
BOCCIA
- Men: Karabo Cassius Morapedi, Matobako Vincent Ramochela (ramp operator)
- Women: Elanza Jordaan, Sandre Jordaan (ramp operator)
- Management: Reinet Barnard, Marisa Potgieter
CYCLING
- Men: Pieter du Preez
- Management: Mark Williams, Ilse du Preez
EQUESTRIAN
- Women: Philippa Johnson-Dwyer, Christiaan Haazen (groom)
- Manager: Ingeborg Sanne
JUDO
- Men: Ndyeni Lamani
- Management: Dirk Crafford
PARA-TRIATHLON
- Women: Kirsty Weir
- Management: Rohan Kennedy
SWIMMING
- Men: Nathan Hendricks, Christian Sadie
- Women: Alani Ferreira, Danika Vyncke, Kat Swanepoel
- Management: Theo Verster, Chad Peterson, Julayga Cassim
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
- Men: Alwande Sikhosana, Donald Ramphadi, Lucas Sithole
- Women: Kgothatso Montjane, Mariska Venter
- Management: Genevieve Barnes, Patrick Selepe
