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Our World in Charts

Our World in Charts is a unique collection of hundreds of charts published by The Outlier. The charts cover key issues both in South Africa and around the world on topics such as education, economy, politics, sport and more. Republish our charts for free.

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  • 138 athletes will represent South Africa at Paris 2024
  • This year’s team is smaller than 2020’s team of 179
  • Women competitors make up 45% of Team SA

This year’s South African Olympic team stands at 138 athletes across 19 codes – including four sports climbers, three skateboarders, two BMX trick riders, an archer and a badminton player.

Hockey (32) and rugby 7s (24) include both men and women’s teams. The disciplines with the most individual competitors are track and field (34 athletes) and aquatics (eight swimmers and one diver).

The current South African cohort is smaller than the one which competed in Tokyo 2020, when 179 athletes participated in 17 sports.

The number of women in Team SA has always been lower than the number of men. This year, South Africa is nearing parity, with women making up just under 45% of the competitors.

Two South Africans currently hold Olympic records: Tatjana (Schoenmaker) Smith for the 100m and 200m women’s breaststroke, and Wayde van Niekerk in the men’s 400m. Note: Amended 24 July 2024 to reflect final numbers, as per Sascoc update.

— 23 July, 2024

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