Penny Heyns’ Double Olympic Gold Recognized as Greatest Moment in SA Women’s Sport

South Africans are celebrating Freedom Day with a look back at some of the most iconic moments in women’s sport since 1994. Leading the pack is swimming legend Penny Heyns, whose double Olympic gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games has been hailed as the “Greatest Moment in SA Women’s Sport”.

Heyns captured the hearts of millions as she clinched the first Olympic medal under the new post-Apartheid flag. Her remarkable feat continues to inspire generations of athletes and symbolizes the relentless pursuit of excellence in women’s sport.

The #FreedomInSport series, spearheaded by gsport, SA’s leading movement for women’s sport advancement, aims to highlight the outstanding achievements of female athletes over the past three decades of freedom in sport. Heyns emerged as the undisputed champion through public participation and a panel of elite judges.

Joining Heyns in the illustrious gsport Top 10 #FreedomInSport Moments are trailblazers such as Caster Semenya, Natalie du Toit, and Kgothatso Montjane, each leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of women’s sport.

Other notable moments in the Top 10 list include Caster Semenya’s gold in Rio, Natalie du Toit’s groundbreaking qualification for the Beijing Olympics as the first amputee, and Banyana Banyana’s historic achievements in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.

As South Africa celebrates Freedom Day, these remarkable achievements serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of women in sport and the strides they have made since the country’s transition to democracy in 1994. Cheers to the incredible female athletes who continue to inspire and break barriers in the world of sports.