The 2024 Paralympic Games officially got underway in Paris on Wednesday night (28/8) with the traditional opening ceremony. With the formalities out of the way, the competitions still start on Thursday and the first of 549 gold medals on offer will be won on day one.

A total of 26 South Africans will be competing this year, including the blind T11 runner from Bloemfontein, Louzanne Coetzee, who won the 1500 silver in Tokyo as well as the marathon T11/12 bronze.

Estean Badenhorst, Louzanne Coetzee and Claus Kempen. Picture: Morgan Piek

Coetzee’s brother-in-law, Estean Badenhorst, will once again be her guide in the 1500m, while Claus Kempen will partner her in the marathon.

Coetzee, who won the silver medal at the World Championships in Paris last year, told OFM Sport that the 1500m is going to be tough.

And together, they lit up the Paralympic Flame: pic.twitter.com/uWv8QysQOp

— stateofsport21 // raz (she/her) (@eretzsport022) August 28, 2024

“I’ve been to Paris before and it was really good for me. I’ve run a personal best time in 2019, and I also won the silver medal at the World Championships here last year,” said Coetzee.

“It’s going to be a very strong 1500m race – we have a jampacked lineup, we have the gold, silver and bronze medallists from the last three world championships and the Tokyo Paralympics in the race.

“We also have the last two world record holders in the race, so I think the 1500m is going to be very competitive. Having said that, I’m really looking forward to it and I’m really excited.

“I’m just eager to represent South Africa and represent Central South Africa with pride. It’s always great to run and I can’t wait.”

The T11 1500m for women heats will take place on Sunday morning. The heats are set to get underway at 10:10, and the final will take place on Monday morning.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg