The 2024 Olympic Games in France delivered beyond expectations. Starting with a spectacular Opening Ceremony sportsmen and women from around the world stepped up to perform for their countries and earn their medals. The USA was at top of the medals race, with China just behind. South Africa ended up in the forties, tucked in between Kenya and Uganda. Positions apart, once again the Olympics have brought together nations of the world to compete at a sporting level. For a brief moment the conflicts and differences were forgotten, and the civilized world could play together in harmony, showing that this is possible. A nod of appreciation must go out to the organisers and all those who competed. Regarding kayaking competitions, due to South Africa’s previous dispensation, local paddlers were previously only allowed to participate in marathon K1-type racing competitions internationally, but not in the Olympics which focussed on sprinting and white-water racing. This resulted in competitive South African paddlers becoming exceptional marathon racers in most age groups as well as world-class exponents of other paddling disciplines like surfski racing and waveski-surfing. It was only after 1990 that South Africa was permitted back into the Olympics, but the interest here remains firmly set on marathons, surfski-racing and waveski-paddling, so it will take a while before South Africans take their rightful place on the podium in Olympic sprinting events too, but it’s happening. South Africa women paddling Olympians in particular, have paved the way with good performances and a medal for Bridgitte Hartley at the London Olympics, setting the stage for future achievements by South African paddlers.