Team SA at Paris Olympics: Swimmers, MTB star Alan Hatherly gun for medals

South Africa’s eyes will be focused on the pool at the Paris Olympic Games on Monday, with Team SA’s Tatjana Smith and Pieter Coetze competing in the finals of their respective events.

Smith was the fastest qualifier in the 100m breaststroke and will be looking to go one better after winning the silver medal in the event in Tokyo in 2021.

Coetze finished joint-second in the semi-final of the 100m backtroke, bettering the African record he set at the SA championships in Gqeberha earlier this year.

Cyclist Alan Hatherly goes into the Olympics in good form, having recently secured victory in the Men’s Elite Cross-Country at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Les Gets.

Hatherly is definitely in with a chance of a podium finish after showing consistent form over the last few years. His recent win will give him a lot of confidence heading into the Men’s MTB cross-country competition.

Surfer Jordy Smith won his heat against Rio Waida (Indonesia) to progress to Monday’s third round. He scored a total of 9.50 points (best first and second wave scores of 9.50 and 4.00), with his opponent totalling 5.40.

I went to support the men’s hockey team playing yesterday, I would have loved to watch the game later but I am coming home later 👊![CDATA[]]>🏾 https://t.co/8eWR7rzmzW pic.twitter.com/WmhAlGz5Mz

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 28, 2024

SOUTH AFRICANS IN ACTION ON MONDAY, JULY 29

BADMINTON

Women’s Singles, Group H (2.50pm): Johanita Scoltz vs Jin Wei Goh (Malaysia)

CYCLING

Men’s MTB cross-country (2.10pm): Alan Hatherly

HOCKEY

Women’s Pool B (5.30pm): Team SA vs Argentina

RUGBY SEVENS

Women’s Pool B (2pm): Team SA vs Great Britain

SKATEBOARDING

Men’s street prelims (12noon): Brandon Valjalo

SURFING

Men’s round 3 (7pm): Jordy Smith vs Alonso Per Correa (Peru)

SWIMMING

Men’s 100m backstroke, final (9.19pm): Pieter Coetze

Women’s 100m breaststroke, final (9.25pm): Tatjana Smith

@JohnGoliath82