The men’s 4x100m relay team clinched the silver medal behind surprise gold medallists Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics at a packed Stade de France on Friday night.
This was a fifth medal for Team SA at these Games.
In canoeing, Hamish Lovemore and Andrew Birkett finished sixth in their semi-final of the men’s double kayak 500m. They qualified for the B-final, missing out by just 0.19sec on a place in the A-final. They then finished fourthth in the B-final to end their campaign in 12th overall.
In athletics, Team SA’s men finished eighth in their 4x400m relay heat in 3:03.19 and initially didn’t qualify for the final. Antonie Nortje ran into trouble at the changeover when he collided with a runner and fell. Zakhiti Nene had produced the fastest second leg in the race of 44.20 in taking Team SA from seventh to fourth after 800m. However, in post race drama, Nigeria were disqualified and Team SA were re-instated into the final by the referee.
Edmund du Plessis finished fourth in his 800m semi-final in 1:45.34. This left him outside the automatic two qualifiers from the heat, and he faced a nervous wait to see if he could qualify for the final. Unfortunately, the two fastest losers came from the third semi-final.
Marione Fourie finished sixth in her 100m hurdles semi-final in 13.01 and did not progress to the final.
In women’s golf, Paula Reto had a round of 76 to go with her opening rounds of 78 and 73 to be tied for 47th on 229 after 54 holes. Ashleigh Buhai was one-under for the tournament after a third round 74 left her tied 16th after 54 holes.
In diving, Julia Vincent finished 11th in the final of the women’s 3m springboard. It was her last competitive event of a glittering career.
The United States (30 golds) lead China (29 golds), Australia (18), France (14) and Great Britain (13) in the medal standings. Team SA have one gold (Tatjana Smith), two silvers (Smith and the men’s 4x100m) and two bronzes (men’s Sevens rugby and Alan Hatherly).
ATHLETICS
Men’s 4x400m relay, heats: Team SA finished eighth in their heat in 3:03.19 and didn’t qualify for the final after Antonie Nortje suffered a mishap on the third leg when he fell at the changeover. However, after the race Nigeria were disqualified and SA were promoted into the final by the referee.
Men’s 800m semi-finals: Edmund du Plessis finished fourth in his semi-final in 1:45.34. This left him outside the automatic two qualifiers from the heat, and outside of being a fastest loser.
Men’s 4x100m relay, final: SILVER! Team SA finished second behind Canada in an African record 37.57
CANOEING
Men’s double kayak 500m semi-finals: Hamish Lovemore and Andrew Birkett finished sixth in 1:29.70. The top four boats went through, so the Team SA duo qualified for the B-final
Men’s double kayak 500m B-final: Lovemore and Birkett finished fourth in 1:31.79. That means they ended their campaign in 12th position
DIVING
Women’s 3m springboard final: Julia Vincent finished 11th in the final, with a total score of 271.25 points. She had risen to as high as third after three of the five dives.
GOLF
Women’s individual, third round
-8 Lydia Ko (NZ)
-7 Zhang Rose (USA), Morgane Metraux (Swit)
-6 Mariaju Uribe (Col), Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Atthaya Thitikul (Thai)
Team SA golfers
-1 (T16th) Ashleigh Buhai (68, 73, 74, 215)
+11 (T49th) Paula Reto (78, 73, 76, 227)
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