Simone Kruger wins gold in the Discus Throw F38 at the Paris Paralympics, dedicating her victory to her family and supporters.
Paris, France (08 September 2024) – Simone Kruger is open and honest. She doesn’t shy away from tricky moments or aim to give you just a soundbite – and that’s what makes her great! This is her second Paralympics, and she’s won the big one: gold and a Paralympic record.
She already holds the world record, which she secured along with the gold medal at the World Championships in Kobe, Japan earlier this year. So, she came in as the favourite. That was true at the last Paralympics in Tokyo too, but there she finished fifth. Without that experience, she doesn’t think she would have topped the podium here.
Lessons from Tokyo: Prepared for Success
In Tokyo, it was raining, she didn’t have the right shoes, and the Team South Africa coach wasn’t with her, so she was doing it all solo. Not this time. She’s learnt that the small things matter – packing the right kit with backups helps you feel, and actually be, prepared.
More importantly, her family are in Paris. This is the first international trip for her mother and sister. Her father, Andries Kruger, is also her coach, and having him in her coaching box, offering guidance on how to get just that bit further, made all the difference. After her previous coach passed away, her dad took over her coaching, and his presence here was vital. It’s not great that our athletes have to rely on personal coaches, but it shows we have talent – and Andries is certainly talented. He not only knows and clearly loves his daughter but also understands exactly what she needs to win on the biggest stage. Plus, he’s even been taking some great pictures of the athletes from the stands- when Simone is not competing of course!
A Thrilling, Close Competition
When speaking about her competitors, Simone repeatedly mentions how glad she is that it was such a close competition. She loves that there wasn’t a standout winner, with everyone being competitive – it’s the environment she thrives in.
The only time she really seemed like a teenager was when she had her moment on the podium. Returning to Stade de France to a sold-out crowd, she literally jumped for joy as she celebrated her victory.
She says that she has received so many messages but hasn’t opened them yet. She knows this is a special moment and wants to take her time, savouring each one.
A Team Effort and a Gracious Finish
Simone also keeps her faith at the centre of it all and remembers all those who have played a part in her career so far, including her late coach, whose dream was to have an Olympic or Paralympic medallist, and her late grandparents, who always supported her. She said, “My discus was never an individual sport. It was always teamwork. To the physios that have been helping me, to the medical staff here, to the team managers, to all the athletes behind me, to my family that’s been here – and even to the people who support me from home – this gold medal belongs to them.”
Simone is 19, at her second Paralympics, and now forever a gold medallist. After I turned off my recording, she looked at me and asked if I had everything I needed. And it turns out I did. I left with a renewed sense of enthusiasm that we can do great things. The last time I saw her, she was graciously posing with her medal and an assortment of fans at the Stade de France.
Thanks for everything, Simone. You really are great!
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.
You can follow her series via Good Things Guy here.
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