South Africa’s men’s 4x100m relay team clinched Olympic Silver in Paris with a mix of youth, experience, and fun.
Paris, France (12 August 2024) – Winning an Olympic medal must be a very special feeling since it is such a significant achievement. What was most striking to me about the Men’s 4 x 100 m Silver medal wasn’t the running of the race but the casual natures and joy of the people running it.
The Start
Bayanda Walaza, an 18-year-old matric pupil, started things off. He proved his capability at the World Relays where the team qualified for the Olympic event, so it was rinse and repeat for him. “I just handed it off and then job done,” he says. He tried to follow the race but all he saw was lights. The team were fourth at this stage.
He is a funny guy and admitted to only getting to about 20 percent of his schoolwork done. He also said that none of his teammates offered to help with his work. Bradley chipped in, saying that he did tell Bayanda that he should do his work. Akani, softly asserted that schoolwork is important.
The Middle
Shaun Maswanganyi then took over. Originally scheduled to race the first leg, an injury in the team caused a shuffle. The US-based 23-year-old made it to the semi-finals of both the 100m and the 200m of this edition of the Olympics. Coached by “Coach Carl” (Lewis), he adapted to receiving and handing over the baton. The team were fifth at this stage.
Bradley Nkoana, a 19-year-old coaching science student, took over next. He thinks they can contest for gold in the future but maintained the rhythm of the quartet and got the baton into Akani Simbine’s hands with the team still in fifth position.
The End
Akani stormed to the finish line, crossing it in second place, securing the silver medal in an African Record of 37.57 seconds. All of Africa seemed to rejoice that Akani finally got a medal. Despite his incredible efforts, he stood back and hugged the pillar, letting others speak, only piping up every now and then.
The 30-year-old is serious about the sport but is not defined by it. He said that all he told the team was to have fun. A relay has many moving pieces, as the perennial favourites, the USA—who have apparently dropped the baton, collided, or been caught for doing so in 10 major championships since 1995—can attest. But the South African team seemed to take on what Simbine said with Bradley even having the word “FUN” on his wrist strapping. Half of the silver medal-winning team are teenagers, and every one of the four is still getting better.
Reflection and Legacy
It’s easy to find the good when things are going well, but this didn’t just happen. The medal and the feel of the team are Simbine-esque. The women’s press conference was before the men’s, and each medal-winning team sent one person to the stage. The men’s gold, Canada, and bronze, Great Britain medallists also sent one representative. South Africa sent the whole team. Akani took the seat and acted as a moderator of sorts. He didn’t answer for anyone but gave them space and encouragement to answer for themselves.
Simbine earned this moment over the years but isn’t precious about it. He knows how good he is. But he never discounts how good others are either, be they the opposition or his team. Team South Africa won the silver medal in the 4x100m Men’s Relay. It took four people on the day and many others throughout the process. But the man who anchored the race also seems to ground the group. While we celebrate the Olympic medallists, let them be a reminder that sometimes all we need is the elder of the group quietly reminding us that education is important and that whatever happens, we should have fun.
Zareena Gaibee will be on the ground in Paris for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics events, sharing her take on the prestigious sporting event, giving exclusive insights into life at the games, and hopefully meeting many of the South Africans in Paris who are competing and supporting. She will be reporting her findings for Good Things Guy, giving readers a glimpse of what flying the flag in Paris is all about.
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