Page 13 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 8 2024

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L OOKING BA CK ON W OMEN'S MONTH athletics, continuing a legacy that includes
icons like Elana Meyer and Zola Budd.
A SPOTLIGHT ON SA Jo-Ané’s success in Paris is particularly
inspiring given the challenges of javelin
throwing, which requires technique,
strength, and precision. Her silver medal is
WOMEN IN SPORT a testament to her skill and determination,
proving her status as a serious contender on
the global stage.
As we celebrate the present, we must
recognise the giants on whose shoulders
these athletes stand. Zola Budd captured
the world’s attention in the 1980s with her
barefoot running style and record-breaking
performances. Competing during political
tension, Zola’s career was marked by
controversy and extraordinary achievement,
making her a vital figure in South African
sports history.
Penny Heyns is another trailblazer who
deserves recognition. At the 1996 Mary Decker and Zola Budd (right) collide at the 1984 Olympics. After the
Atlanta Olympics, Penny incident, Budd became a household name, but for all the wrong reasons
became the first woman
to win the 100m and
200m breaststroke extraordinary
events at the same achievements as a
Games, securing Paralympian who “
her place as one competed against All these women have brought
of the greatest able-bodied athletes,
breaststroke making history at glory to South Africa and inspired
swimmers the 2008 Beijing
ever. Her Olympics. Despite a new generation of athletes to
achievements losing her leg in an dream big and work tirelessly
marked South accident, Natalie’s
Africa’s return to determination saw her to achieve their goals. As we
the Olympic podium break records and win
after the end of multiple gold medals, reflect on their achievements
apartheid. Penny Heyns inspiring millions worldwide.
Elana Meyer’s silver medal Sally Little also deserves mention during Women’s Month, we must
in the 10,000 metres at the 1992 as a pioneer in South African golf. Her remember that their successes
Barcelona Olympics was a significant victories on the LPGA Tour in the 1970s and
achievement. Her success was not just a 1980s, including two major championships, are built on years of hard work,
victory on the track but a powerful statement showcased the skill and determination of
of South African athletics excellence, South African women in a sport traditionally sacrifice, and unwavering belief
particularly long-distance running. dominated by men. Her induction into
the South African Hall of Fame is a fitting in their potential.
Natalie du Toit stands out for her recognition of her contributions to the sport.

DID YOU KNOW? Natalie du Toit

• Tatjana Smith set a same Games.
world record in the 200m
breaststroke at the • Zola Budd broke the
Tokyo 2020 Olympics, world record for the 5000
cementing her status as metres in 1984, at the
one of the top swimmers age of just 17, running
globally. barefoot.

• Jo-Ané van Dyk earned a • Natalie du Toit was the
silver medal in the javelin first amputee to qualify
throw at the Paris 2024 for an Olympic Games,
Olympics, marking her competing alongside
as one of South Africa’s able-bodied athletes.
rising stars in athletics.
As we continue to celebrate
• Penny Heyns was the Women’s Month, let’s honour the
first woman in Olympic incredible achievements of South
history to win both the African women in sport, both past
100m and 200m breast- and present. Their stories testify to
stroke events at the women’s strength, resilience, and

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