Can SA’s struggling Olympic stars turn things around?

Negotiating domestic and global Covid regulations, and competing in empty stadiums at most events, this hasn’t been an easy year for South Africa’s elite athletes.

With the SA team returning home from the Tokyo Olympics with just three medals, a much bigger haul will be targeted at the Paris Games in 2024.

That prospect, however, will require most of the nation’s medal contenders to be hitting their straps at the right time, and more consistency will be required by some than was seen this season.

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We look back at some of the biggest shocks and disappointments in Olympic sports in the 2021 campaign, and look ahead at the possibility of these athletes and teams turning things around before the next edition of the multi-sport spectacle.

Wayde van Niekerk (athletics)

After showing fine form over shorter distances, there was real hope that Van Niekerk would close out his comeback from injury with a 400m medal in Tokyo.

With the world record holder missing out on the final, however, he has some work to do to regain his best form in the brutal one-lap sprint.

At the age of 29, Van Niekerk has at least one more shot at the Games, and if he can regain the required stamina to carry him through multiple rounds, he could be back in the spotlight in Paris.

Chad le Clos (swimming)

South Africa’s most decorated Olympian had a question mark hanging over his head this season, with younger opponents displaying superb form in the build-up to the showpiece.

Though he missed out on the 100m butterfly semifinals, and did not step on the podium, the four-time Olympic medallist grabbed fifth place in the 200m final, proving he could still put up a fight.

At the age of 29, he is hardly an old man, and while he hasn’t got time on his side, Le Clos has the experience (and insists he still has the hunger) to target a return to his best in the build-up to the 2024 Games.

Jordy Smith (surfing)

A number of South African athletes picked up injuries which sidelined them from the Tokyo Games, but Smith’s withdrawal was perhaps the most devastating in terms of podium potential.

One of the medal favourites in the men’s surfing event, he pulled out a few weeks before the showpiece with a knee injury.

Fortunately for South Africa, veteran Bianca Buitendag delivered in spectacular fashion in his absence, stunning the world’s best to grab a surprise silver medal in the women’s competition.

Buitendag has since retired, but 33-year-old Smith could get another opportunity in 2024.

Blitzboks (rugby sevens)

The reigning World Rugby Sevens Series champions were considered one of the country’s most solid medal hopes in Tokyo.

After securing bronze at the 2016 Rio Games, they were gunning for a place in the final and potential gold.

Having been forced into extended isolation, however, their Olympic campaign was derailed by Covid and they ultimately settled for fifth position.

They will be eager to hit back in Paris and return to the podium.