SA athletes ready to go

The South African squad have settled in Paris and are ready to go at the Paralympic Games, according to the team's chef de mission, Patience Shikwambana.

- Wesley Botton

A 31-member national team will compete at the quadrennial multi-sport Games which gets underway tonight with the opening ceremony where the SA flag will be carried by versatile track and field athlete Mpumelelo Mhlongo and swimmer Kat Swanepoel.

The SA squad, who arrived in the Paralympic village over the weekend, will turn out in nine sporting codes - archery, athletics, boccia, cycling, equestrian, judo, triathlon, swimming and wheelchair tennis - at the 12-day showpiece.

"We as Team SA are excited to play a significant role in the success of the Games and are excited to start our campaign on Wednesday. Everything is in place," Shikwambana said.