'We wanted to make SA proud at Olympics' - Athletes back home from Paris
Athletes from Team South Africa who competed in the Paris Olympics have thanked South Africans for their support during the games.
Members of the team arrived home to a hero's welcome at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday.
Team SA won six medals, doubling its tally from the previous Olympics in Tokyo.
Gold medalist Tatjana Smith admitted her time in Paris was bittersweet, as she knew that she was competing for the last time.
"I never thought I would stand on the other side. It's always nice celebrating the Springboks and everyone coming back with their medals, but being on the other side experiencing it. It's really humbling and I'm very, grateful.
"It is a bittersweet pill to swallow that I am finished. This is probably maybe one of the last times I'll be wearing the green and gold.
"But just being able to walk out at the end of the Olympics with the flag and just what it meant of representing our country.
"Very gratefully been able to win the gold medal, but I had to face a lot of things to get there and I think we can avoid a lot of things for future athletes to achieve greater things."
The youngest athlete in the team, 18-year-old Bayanda Walaza, is a matriculant at the Curro Hazeldean school in Pretoria.
He won silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay.
"We thank you for your support, there was a point where I was really scared to run. At first I thought I was not going to run because I'm the youngest and they have stronger people.
"When I realised I was in the team, that shocked me a bit, So, when I stepped in on the track, it was the wonderful feeling ever, because when I walked in, the crowd was massive.
"When I went into that block, I said whatever happens, it's me and God. If I faint the baton will be given to the next person."
University student Bradly Nkoana also touched down, leaving behind Akani Simbine, Benjamin Richardson and Shaun Maswanganyi.
Nkoana dedicated the silver medal to her late mother for her encouragement for Nkoana to follow his dreams.
"The support was amazing, I wasn't sure I was going to run. My coach still had belief in me and said always be ready because anything can happen.
"The coach said it is time for you to step up. To put on your big boy pants, and I did that. I stepped on the track and the crowd was just, crazy.
"So, I was a bit shocked and scared and nervous and all those emotions."
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie vowed to send 300 athletes in the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
"We have a big responsibility to make sure we take no less than 300 Olympians to the next Olympic event in 2028. It’s a promise I’m making here, that we are going to find Tatjanas in the rural areas, in Soweto, Eldorado Park, Matatiele and Gugulethu."
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