South Africa - September 11, 2024

South African Paralympic F38 Discus champion Simone Kruger returned home earlier this month with a warm welcome from family and friends, ready to continue her education and seek future achievements.

The 19-year-old world champion with cerebral palsy just set a new Paralympics record when she won gold in the F-38 category in Paris. It was the only medal that was missing in her impressive collection.

"I'm feeling very proud. She was wonderful. We couldn't believe she won gold. It was amazing. So I'm feeling really proud," said Simone Rautenbach, a former pupil of Garsfontein High School, the alma mater of the young champion.

After a disappointing fifth-place finish in Tokyo 2020, the world champion managed to set the record straight in Paris.

"That was big feelings, I think, because I think Tokyo, there wasn't a crowd or anything in the stadium, and there, in Paris, there was about 70,000, 80,000 people in the stadium. And just holding the gold medal in front of that big crowd, that was just amazing," said Kruger, the world F38 discus champion and Paralympic gold medalist.

"We were very nervous in that sixth throw because she was like a meter ahead, not even a bit less, but very happy she's got that Paralympic gold medal. Double world champion, world record holder, Paralympic champion, Paralympic record holder. Can't ask for anything more from a 19-year-old," said Leon Fleiser, the high performance manager of Team South Africa.

Talking about the future, the world champion decided to go back to study next year, but still longs for more glory.

"I took a gap year this year for my sports. So next year, I'm going to go study again. And then afterwards, well, I would definitely want to continue doing the sports because I think I have a lot of future World Champs or Paralympics maybe in me still," said Kruger.

SHOTLIST:

Pretoria, South Africa - Sept 11, 2024
1. Various of Simone Kruger, F38 discus Paralympic gold medalist, waving, welcomed by family, friends, former pupil of Garsfontein High School Simone Rautenbach;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Simone Rautenbach, former pupil, Garsfontein High School (ending with shot 3):
"I'm feeling very proud. She was wonderful. We couldn't believe she won gold. It was amazing. So I'm feeling really proud.";
3. Various of Rautenbach holding posters reading "You are our gold star!", "You are a legend.";

South Africa - Recent
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Simone Kruger, F38 discus Paralympic gold medalist (ending with shot 5):
"That was big feelings, I think, because I think Tokyo, there wasn't a crowd or anything in the stadium, and there, in Paris, there was about 70,000, 80,000 people in the stadium. And just holding the gold medal in front of that big crowd, that was just amazing.";

FILE: Paris, France - 2024
5. Various of signs of Paris 2024, posters, Olympic rings, sports venue;

South Africa - Recent
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Leon Fleiser, high performance manager, Team South Africa (ending with shot 7):
"We were very nervous in that sixth throw because she was like a meter ahead, not even a bit less, but very happy she's got that Paralympic gold medal. Double world champion, world record holder, Paralympic champion, Paralympic record holder. Can't ask for anything more from a 19-year-old.";

Pretoria, South Africa - Sept 11, 2024
7. Various of Simone Kruger welcomed by friends;

South Africa - Recent
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Simone Kruger, F38 discus Paralympic gold medalist (starting with shot 7/ending with shot 9):
"I took a gap year this year for my sports. So next year, I'm going to go study again. And then afterwards, well, I would definitely want to continue doing the sports because I think I have a lot of future World Champs or Paralympics maybe in me still.";

Pretoria, South Africa - Sept 11, 2024
9. Various of Simone Kruger welcomed by friends, posing for photos with former pupil.

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