The official Olympic and Paralympic flag bearers have been announced for South Africa! Here’s who will fly carry our flag and a nation’s hopes and dreams proudly in Paris:
South Africa (11 July 2024) — The lists of Olympic athletes gearing up to make our country proud in Paris have been announced while the first cohort of Team South Africa’s Paralympians has made us enormously excited for their Games in late August. The countdown is clocking, South Africans are already planning their schedules to make room to watch the Games at home, and those lucky enough to catch a flight to Paris are eyeing their suitcases already. And now, our official Olympic flag bearers have been declared. Needless to say, our country is ready to rock and roll!
Given the key role of carrying the flag that represents all our hopes and dreams are a select class of athletes and para-athletes who have proven their chops in their disciplines countless times. An acclaimed gymnast, global champions in speed and a swimmer who has more medals to her name than most would ever dream of.
Meet South Africa’s Official Olympic Flag Bearers:
Akani Simbine
This will be Akani’s third Olympics where the certified legend in speed and athletics will use his superpowers to make as proud. He’s a six-time South African 100m champion, a 9-time Diamond League winner and an African champion who has a knack for claiming top spots and gold at Championships across the world.
Caitlin Rooskrantz
At only 22, Caitlin has already made history for South Africa. Along with Naveen Daries, in Tokyo she was the first female gymnast of colour who represented South Africa at the Olympics. She helped South Africa’s artistic gymnastics team become African Champions last year, and was awarded SA’s Artistic Gymnast of the year in 2022 amongst many other awards.
Mpumelelo Mhlongo
Paralympian Mpumelelo is no stranger to triumphing in global events. With a need for speed and long jump skills that’ll blow your fringe back, Mpumelelo has made South Africa proud countless times. He’s broke and set multiple world records, has been awarded as a Sportsman of the Year with a Disability (2024) and is a Para Athletics World Champion.
Kat Swanepoel
Legend Paralympian Kat Swanepoel has represented South Africa across disciplines, including Wheelchair Basketball and Rugby. But, when it comes to swimming (which she only started professionally in 2019) she’s blown the competition out of the water time and time again. From competing in the Tokyo Games to winning podium places at World Championships and has been nominated twice as Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability.
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