The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been over for several months, but South Africa extended the fun a little with a big ceremony in honor of its 12 medalists, at the presidential palace, this Friday, November 29. Two athletes received the country’s highest sporting honor there.
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With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Valentin Hugues
In the courtyard of the presidential palace decorated with flowers and South African flags, there is an Olympic atmosphere this Friday, November 29. On the screens, the public watches the exploits of the medal-winning athletes. Six Olympic medals, and as many Paralympic medals for South Africa.
The athletes are present, dressed in their green national tracksuit, and elevated to the rank of heroes, by the president Cyril Ramaphosa. “ Today, we not only celebrate our medals, but also our power of resilience. We are a country that has been forced to struggle, but also a nation of hope, a hope that we all hold deep in our hearts », Proclaims the head of state.
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Cyril Ramaphosa notably presented the Jupiter Shield to two athletes. It is the highest sporting honor in the country. Tatjana Smith won the gold medal in the 100 meter breaststroke during the Paris Olympics. She is the most successful South African athlete: “ It’s amazing to still celebrate the Olympic Games even three months later! I feel like I’m back with the team, at home. It’s so valuable to me, because I’ve since retired. »
Like Tatjana Smith, Mpumelelo Mhlongo, a gold medalist in para athletics, also received this large gray Jupiter shield, which he proudly holds under his left arm. “II don’t want to leave it, I think I’ll sleep with it! Receiving the greatest sporting distinction from the hand of the President, I, who come from the townships, could never have imagined it », marvels the sportsman.
To continue to bring the country together through sport, South Africa dreams of forming a delegation of 350 athletes for Los Angeles, almost twice as many as in Paris.
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