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Olympics - by the numbers

London – A quick look at the most important – and at times astounding – facts and figures from SA’s history at the Olympics.

3
The position South Africa holds in terms of gold medals won by African countries since the Olympics in 1992 in Barcelona. Ethiopia (13) and Kenya (11) lead the way with SA on 4 - Josia Thugwane (Marathon 1996), Penny Heyns (100m breaststroke 1996, 200m breaststroke 1996) and Lyndon Ferns/Ryk Neethling/Roland Schoeman/Darian Townsend (4x100m relay 2004).

3
Medals won by SA athletes. Shared by Penny Heyns (2 golds, 1 bronze) and Roland Schoeman (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)

4
The number of sporting codes that have won medals since SA returned to the Olympic fold in 1992: Athletics, Tennis, Swimming and Rowing.

6
The most medals South Africa has won at a single Olympics (Athens in 2004) since returning from isolation. Pre-isolation the record was 10 (Antwerp in 1920 and Helsinki in 1952)

7
The number of Olympics in which South Africa didn’t compete due to apartheid-enforced isolation: Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980, Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988.

9
Medals won in athletics since readmission in 1992, the most by any single sporting code (1 gold, 6 silver, 2 bronze)

70
The total number of medals won by South Africa at the Olympics (20 gold, 24 silver, 26 bronze)

2024
The year in which South Africa is rumoured to be bidding to host the Olympic Games.

Garrin is at the 2012 London Olympics courtesy of British Airways

Click HERE for fares to see the best of London and the world.

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