President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted athletes to show gratitude for their achievements at the 2024 Paris Games, when the nation’s top Olympic and Paralympic athletes were honoured in a special ceremony at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Friday, November 20, 2024.
Top athletes attending the ceremony at the seat of government in person included South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, alongside leading colleagues in sport
“It is a moment to express our gratitude to those who have represented our nation with such distinction on the world’s greatest stage. Today, we are not just celebrating medals and the star athletes who won them. We are also celebrating the spirit of South Africa,” said Ramaphosa at the event.”
President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa
Mzansi’s star swimmer Smith was awarded with the most esteemed prize in South African sport, the Shield of Jove. This accolade is handed out to those who have displayed excellence in their sport at the Olympics and Paralympics.
Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser
Given Smith’s showing in Paris in August, it’s not hard to see why the most decorated South African Olympian was bestowed with the big prize. This however is not her first time being awarded the Shield of Jove as she was also among the receipts after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“We are also honouring the athletes that achieved the most outstanding performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games with the presentation of the Shield of Jove.”
The prestigious award was donated to the South African government in 1948 by Frederick Mitchell-Hedges, a British archaeologist involved in mining in South Africa, symbolising excellence, perseverance, and dedication to the pursuit of sporting greatness.
“These remarkable achievements are the product of a collective commitment to building a sustainable sporting culture in South Africa.”
Ramaphosa also spoke about how the athletes’ achievements show the kind of ethos the country embodies in the face of adversity.
“Today is a celebration not just of the medals our athletes have won, but of the spirit of South Africa. We are a nation forged in struggle, in adversity, and hope. To the Olympic and Paralympic champions with us here today, we say thank you.
“To the teams of people – coaches, trainers, therapists, doctors, families, friends, and many others – who carry stars onto the podium, we say thank you. We recognise with gratitude our corporate sponsors and the National Lotteries Commission who provided significant funding to SASCOC, enabling our athletes to participate and to excel.”
Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser
Among the athletes was Paralympic swimmer Kat Swanepoel who shared in Facebook post how wonderful it was to be recognised in such a way.
“What a privilege. What an honour. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this being part of my life story. Even better to have shared the tremendous honour of carrying our nation’s flag with these incredible athletes and human beings.”
Paralympic Swimmer and Sporting Great, Kat Swanepoel
Main Photo Caption: President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted athletes to show gratitude for their achievements at the 2024 Paris Games, when the nation’s top Olympic and Paralympic athletes were honoured in a special ceremony at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Friday, November 20, 2024. Photo: South African Government
Photo 2 Caption: South Africa’s most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith received the Shield of Jove for a remarkable second lifetime recognition. Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser
Photo 3 Caption: Paralympic discus gold medalist Simoné Kruger with her dad, Andries Kruger.
Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser
Photo 4 Caption: President Ramaphosa celebrates middle-distance track star Louzanne Coetzee and her guide, Erasmus Badenhorst. Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser
Photo 5 Caption: Accomplished artistic gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz smiles for the camera. Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser
Photo 6 Caption: The President and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKensie, capture the moment with javelin star, Jo-Ané van Dyk. Photo: Charmaine Botes Visser
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