Smith, Van Niekerk, Simbine, Le Clos named in first Team SA squad for Paris Olympics

JOHANNESBURG - A group of 39 athletes was named to represent Team South Africa at the Olympics in Paris in July and August.
 
Wednesday's announcement was the first of three that will take place over the coming weeks as some athletes and teams still have to secure qualification.

South Africa's leading medal hopeful, Tatjana Smith, headlines the list of athletes, from seven sporting codes, who’ll be part of the Team SA squad.
 
The Olympic gold medallist is one of 15 members in the group who participated at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
 
Other standout names include 100m Commonwealth Games champion, Akani Simbine, 400m world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk and swimmer, Chad le Clos, who’ll be competing in his fourth Olympics.
 
Financial incentives for athletes and their coaches were also announced. Athletes who win gold medals will earn R400,000, silver medallists will receive R200,000 and bronze will get R75,000.

Gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz, who is the only athlete from her sporting code, said she was more excited this time around than she was for her first Olympics.
 
"It is a lot better going into Paris. A big difference that I can notice already is the energy, which makes sense because there was obviously COVID and which just sometimes felt a bit morbid. Now going into Paris, it definitely feels a bit lighter, it feels more exciting... I'm going into my second Olympic Games and it does give you a kick of confidence knowing that I've done this before."
 
Twenty-one-year-old 400m athlete, Lythe Pillay, has qualified for his second Olympics as well. He was part of the relay team that was eliminated in the heats in Tokyo. He said he did not really feel added pressure to do better after they won a silver medal at the World Relays two weeks ago.
 
"I'm not putting too much emphasis what to expect on the day, I must just run like I've been doing now like any normal race, obviously it's on a much more elevated platform but for me, my focus is just maintaining performance, being consistent, being healthy, executing my race plan on the day and the rest will follow."
 
Olympic gold medalist, Tatjana Smith, said that her mind wasn't on defending her title yet but said she was just enjoying her swimming at the moment but was making progress towards finding her best form.

"I just want to really go out and see if I can swim the times that I did in Tokyo. I've really been struggling, I only got close to my times at nationals, so it's exciting for me to see I'm making progress and amidst all the achievements and stuff, I'm really enjoying my swimming. That's what it's all about, having that passion for the sport."