A group of 62 athletes from South Africa was sent to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The team of 45 men and 17 women was accompanied by 45 managers, coaches and other support staff.
It was the 14th time that the Paralympic Games was held in history. The London 2012 Paralympic Games were held from 29 August to 9 September. Nearly 4,300 athletes from 164 countries took part in this year’s games.
Growing interest in Paralympic sport and public enthusiasm surrounding Great Britain’s performance at the 2012 London Olympics lead to a significantly higher demand for tickets than ever before. It comes as no suprise that numerous sales records were broken for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
South Africa’s Paralympic team won no less than 29 medals at the games. These Paralympians are a true inspiration. Quite impressive if you ask me. The South African team won a total of 8 Gold medals, 12 Silver medals and 9 Bronze medals at this year’s games. This a breakdown of all of the medal winners:
Gold Medalists: Natalie Du Toit (in the Women’s 100m butterfly S9, Women’s 400m freestyle S9 and Women’s 200m Individual Medley SM9), Charl Bouwer (Men’s 50m freestyle S13). Oscar Pistorius, Arnu Fourie, Samkelo Radebe and Zivan Smith (4 x 100m Relay T42-46), Ilze Hayes (Women’s long jump F13), Fanie van der Merwe (Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB9) and Oscar Pistorius (Men’s 200m T44).
Silver Medalists: Tebogo Mokgalagadi (Men’s 100m T35), Charl Bouwer (Men’s 100m freestyle S13 and Men’s 100m backstroke S13), Dyan Buis (Men’s 100m T38 and Men’s 200m T38), Oscar Pistorius (Men’s 200m T44), Hilton Langenhoven (Men’s 400 m T12), Ilse Hayes (Women’s 100 m T13), Natalie du Toit (Women’s 100m freestyle S9), Ernst van Dyk (Men’s cycling road race H4), Kevin Paul (Men’s 100m breaststroke SB9) and Anrune Liebenberg (Women’s 400m T46).
Bronze Medalists: Arnu Fourie (Men’s 100 m T44), Dyan Buis (Men’s long jump F37-38), Shireen Sapiro (Women’s 100m backstroke S10), Michael Louwrens (Men’s shot put F57-58), Union Sekailwe (Men’s 400m T38), Anrune Liebenberg (Women’s 200m T46), Jonathan Ntutu (Men’s 100m T13), Achmat Hassiem (Men’s 100m butterfly S10) and Hendri Herbst (Men’s 100m freestyle S11).
On behalf of the Junk Mail Team I’d to take this opportunity to congratulate the South African team on their performance at the London 2012 Paralympic Games! You’re a great inspiration to all South Africans and you have done your country proud!
Watch this space for regular updates in the Sport category on the Junk Mail Blog.
