Team SA at Paris Olympics: Ashleigh Buhai puts travel drama aside as 4x100m men target final

Team South Africa’s Ashley Buhai has had a rather interesting time since arriving at the Paris Olympics for the women’s golf tournament.

Buhai’s flight from the United States to Paris was delayed by a couple of hours, and then she had a nervous wait for her golf clubs to arrive. She was only reunited with her clubs on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s first Round at Le Golf National.

However, Buhai didn’t let the setbacks in the build-up get to her, as she produced a 4-under par 68 in the opening round to sit in second place ahead of Thursday’s second round.

Buhai carded five birdies and made a solitary bogey to trail home favourite Celine Boutier by three shots.

Buhai’s teammate Paula Reto, however, has got some work to do after an opening 6-over par 78 in the first round.

In athletics, Ashley Erasmus and Mine de Klerk will hope to qualify for the final of the women’s shot put.

🚨Jo-Ane van Dyk throws a personal best of 64.22m to finished 1st in the Women's Javelin Qualification (Group A). She is through to the Javelin finals!#TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Olympics pic.twitter.com/m6wZdhJNQy

— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) August 7, 2024

They will certainly take inspiration from Jo-Ane van Dyk, who impressed in the women’s javelin. She advanced to the final after delivering a personal best throw of 64.22m. In the men’s high jump, Brian Raats’ first jump of 2.24 also saw him qualify for the final.

In the men’s 4x100 relay, Team SA will have to get over Benjamin Richardson’s injury to try and qualify for Friday’s final.

Richardson pulled his hamstring in the 200m qualifiers and won’t take part in any more events at the Olympics. South Africa will look to Akani Simbine to take them home in the anchor leg.

SOUTH AFRICANS IN ACTION ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

GOLF

Round 2, women’s individual strokeplay

09.33am: Paula Reto (+6)

10.22am: Ashleigh Buhai (-4)

SPORTS CLIMBING

Women's boulder and lead, from 10am: Lauren Mukheibir

DIVING

Women's 3m springboard semi-final, from 10am: Julia Vincent

ATHLETICS

Women's shot put qualification, 10.25am: Ashley Erasmus, Mine de Klerk

Women's 100m hurdles repechage, 10.35am: Marione Fourie

Men's 4x100m heats, 11.35am: South Africa.

@JohnGoliath82

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