The 18-year-old South African women’s hockey player from Bloemfontein, Taheera Augousti, is locked and loaded to get down to business at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

On Friday night, Team South Africa, as well as all the other athletes from across the world who are already in Paris, enjoyed a special opening ceremony.

‘A third athlete from Eunice will be competing at the games’

Augousti, who was only in matric last year, as well as Kayla Swarts both attended Eunice Girls’ School in Bloemfontein. The latter is the sister of the 2016 gold medallist, Wayde van Niekerk.

A third athlete from the famous school will be competing at the games as a cyclist, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. She will be competing in a record-equalling fourth Olympic Games for a South African woman.

Taheera Augousti. Photo: Eunice

Augousti told OFM Sport that she is excited and ready, after what she described as a very special opening ceremony on the river Seine.

“We’re one day away from the tournament and we had an opening ceremony on Friday night, and it was really so amazing,” said Augousti. “I don't think there would ever be another opening ceremony like that, and I really enjoyed it so much.

“But now we’re just one day away from our first game, which is against Australia. They're really a tough team to play against, and it will be my first time playing against Australia. We are really, really excited and we're looking forward to the beginning of the Olympic Games to start.

“I can’t wait to play against them and play on the international stage with my teammates and with my family being there. It makes it even more special.

‘South African men have a tough opener against the Netherlands’

“I just can't wait to make everyone proud, represent my country with pride and just enjoy every moment.”

The game between South Africa and Australia on Sunday gets underway at 12:00. Meanwhile, on Saturday at 12:30, the South African men have a tough opener against the Netherlands.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg