Women were not allowed to compete at the Olympics until the 1900 Paris Games. Now, in the same city 124 years later, there will be equal numbers of male and female athletes on the field of play.

But the number of women in the South African team has always been lower than the number of men. This year, women make up 45% of SA’s competitors.

Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams and rugby sevens teams will be in Paris this year. There are 11 female track and field athletes in the team and 23 men. With six women, the female aquatics squad is double that of the men’s.

Tatjana (Schoenmaker) Smith is one of two South Africans who currently hold Olympic records. She holds the record for the 100m and 200m women’s breaststroke. She took home two medals in 2020 – one gold and one silver.

Note: Amended 24 July 2024 to reflect final numbers, as per Sascoc update.