The swimmer, Nathan Hendricks, is excited and pumped up ahead of Thursday’s S13 butterfly final for men at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

This morning Hendricks became the first South African to reach a final at the 2024 Games following a solid performance in the heats.

Hendricks finished fourth in his heat in a time of 59.51 seconds and this was the sixth fastest time overall in the event.

Olekskii Virchenko of Ukraine was the fastest in the heat by touching the wall in 57.25 seconds. Jose Alhamra of Spain finished in second in 57.65 seconds, while Muzaffar Tursunkhujaev of Uzbekistan finished in third in 59.45 seconds.

Ihar Boki of Belarus was the fastest overall by winning his heat in 54.23 seconds.

Hendricks, who is competing at the Games for the first time, said he is charged up.

“It felt awesome and it was just insane with the crowd hearing them roar in the preparation arena,” said Hendricks. “When I walked out, it was like something I have never felt before. It’s the first time I’m under a double, so I am ecstatic and you can’t be too upset with that time. I’m pretty happy with it.

“Now I’m even more ready and I’m feeling pumped up. It’s because of the crowd, it was just an amazing thing to experience. I’m feeling more hyped for my other races.”

The final of the S13 butterfly for men will take place on Thursday at 20:08.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh