Olympic body confirms Team SA flag bearers for Paris Olympics.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) announced sprint star Akine Simbine and gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz as South Africa’s flag bearers for the Olympic Games that will be held in Paris.

The announcement of the flag-bearers was done at the official send-off gala dinner for Team South Africa which was held at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

The gala dinner coincided with the celebration of 50 days to go to the Paralympic Games and 17 days to go to the Paris Olympics.

The Paris Olympics will be held in the French capital from 26 July to 11 August, followed by the Paralympics which will be held from 28 August to 8 September.

Simbine holds the national record of 9.84 seconds and has won gold at championships including the Commonwealth Games, African Championships, and is a six-time South African 100m champion and a nine-time winner on the Diamond League circuit.

Sascoc CEO, Nozipho Jafta congratulated the athletes on being chosen to lead South Africa at the Games.

“Congratulations to the four athletes who have the honour of being flag bearers for Team SA in Paris, where they will be in full view at the opening ceremony of the respective Games – watched all over the world.

It is indeed a moment that celebrates our hashtag of ‘For My Country’.”

President of Sascoc, the governing body delivering Team South Africa to the Olympics and Paralympics, Barry Hendricks, was full of enthusiasm and encouragement. “The last Olympics and Paralympics were held in 2021, postponed a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“They were held in an understandably and necessarily confined environment, but you can feel the energy this time around. There is such a buzz around the whole Games, and Team South Africa is ready and committed to playing its full part in its success.”

Scroll to Top