PODIUM MILESTONE: SA youngsters match best-ever Youth Olympics medal haul

After a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Youth Olympics have returned to African soil for the first time, taking place in Dakar, Senegal from 31 October to 13 November. South Africa's young athletes have matched their best-ever Youth Olympic medal haul, collecting nine medals in total. This includes two gold, one silver, and six bronze. Prior to these Games, South Africa's best performance was the nine medals won at the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010.

Matao le Roux won gold in the high jump, clearing 2.16m in a first-round performance that overcame prior struggles. Enrique Bosch claimed bronze in the 110m hurdles, while Darius Botha secured bronze in the shot put. South African athletes have had the opportunity to compete against athletes from outside the African continent for the first time, facing powerhouse nations such as China, the United States of America, Japan, France and Russia.

John-Pierre Theron, who claimed silver in the boys' hammer throw, acknowledged the pressure of competing internationally for the first time. Le Roux and Dreyer have both become the first South Africans to win medals in Youth Olympic history, with Dreyer also winning in rowing's coastal beach sprints. Leah Markgraaff and Chanel Veldsman also contributed to South Africa's nine medals with silver and two silver medals respectively.