Athletes across 32 sporting disciplines will travel to Paris to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games from 26 July to 11 August.
Among South Africa’s contingent, the following athletes will be carrying Biogen supplements in their bags to help fuel their performances as they compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage in their quest for the ultimate prize – an Olympic medal!
Swimming
- IG: @thedripkingh2o
- Events: 100m & 200m Backstroke
- In action from: 11h00 (CEST time), 28 July (100m) & 31 July (200m)
- Venue: Olympic Aquatic Centre, Saint-Denis
At just 19 years old, Pieter Coetzé is the next generation of SA swimming talent hoping to make waves in the pool and secure a medal.
Despite his young age, Pieter will compete at his second Olympic Games, after qualifying to compete at Tokyo 2020 at the age of 16, making him the youngest South African male swimmer to compete at an Olympic Games (he was 17 at the time).
Pieter is a backstroke specialist who already holds the African records in the long course and 50m and 100m short course backstroke events. He has also already tasted success on the global stage, winning gold in the 100m backstroke, silver in the 50m backstroke, and bronze in the 200m events at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
On his path the qualifying for Paris 2024, he dominated the 2024 South African National Aquatic Championships held at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Gqeberha, taking home five gold medals and winning every race he competed in.
Based at the High Performance Centre at Tuks under the guidance of Rocco Meiring, Pieter is in the pool 8-9 times a week, with 2-4 weightlifting sessions included in his intensive training plan.
His performance supplement plan includes a range of Biogen products, including Biogen Creatine Monohydrate, Biogen Carbogen, and Biogen Electrolyte+ tabs.
“I have a Biogen Iso-Whey shake straight after every training session, and focus on eating enough food before sessions to fuel my efforts. Getting good sleep is the foundation of my recovery plan,” he explains.
- IG: @kaylenecorbett
- Event: 200m breaststroke
- In action from: 11h00 (CEST time), 21 July
- Venue: Olympic Aquatic Centre, Saint-Denis
Kaylene Corbett is another Tuks swimmer who lit up the 2024 South African National Aquatic Championships, swimming two races that were under the Olympic qualifying time to book her place in Team SA for Paris 2024. Kaylene finished second behind training partner and fellow Olympic finalist Tatjana Smith to secure the silver medal in the 200m breaststroke race.
Kaylene will compete at her second Olympic Games after finishing fifth at Tokyo 2020 in a new PB time, and is keen to replicate past successes at the highest level, which include a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 200m breaststroke.
Kaylene is in the pool for seven sessions a week, which usually last for 90 minutes to two hours. “I also have 2-3 gym sessions a week, which last between 60-80 minutes,” she explains.
She fuels her training with a combination of Biogen Carbogen, Biogen Creatine Monohydrate and Biogen L- Glutamine, with Biogen Recovergen as her preferred post-training recovery drink.
“Biogen supplements play an important role in my recovery, helping me put back more into my body than what I take out. I also make sure to get enough sleep, since that’s the most important part of recovery, and I follow a balanced diet.”
- IG: @waterbender
- Events: 100m & 200m butterfly, 200m Individual Medley (IM)
- In action from: 11h00 (CEST time), 30 July (200m butterfly), 1 August (200m IM), 2 August (100m butterfly)
- Venue: Olympic Aquatic Centre, Saint-Denis
Matthew Sates is a swimmer with huge potential. After using the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as a foundation to gain important experience, he has shown positive signs that he is a world champion in the making.
Matthew’s talent was on full display at the 2021 FINA World Cup Swimming Series, where he won the overall title with a total of 227 points across the four competitions and $140,000 in prize money.
The then 18-year-old won 18 medals – 13 gold, four silver and one bronze – while setting three junior world records in the 200m individual medley, 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle events.
In 2022, he began the defence of his overall World Cup title by breaking the oldest men’s African short-course record with a personal best of 3:36.30 in the 400m freestyle. He also became the World Short Course champion that year in the 200m individual medley.
More recently, he won four titles at the 2024 South African National Aquatic Championships, including the 100m freestyle – the marquee event – in a PB of 48.97. In May, he completed an incredible clean sweep of golds in each of his nine events in the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour in Europe on his way to his second Olympics.
Competing across so many events requires a herculean training regimen, which includes morning and afternoon swim training sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a morning gym session and an afternoon swim session on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“On Saturday I have a morning training session and will end the week with an easy swim or a gym session on Sunday,” explains Matthew.
To support his recovery, Matthew focuses on eating the correct foods and drinking enough to adequately meet his hydration needs.
He supports his diet with a comprehensive supplement plan that includes Biogen Premium Iso-WheyandBiogen Collagen for recovery, and Biogen Carbogen and Biogen Cytogen Racing Mix to fuel his training and racing.
He also takes a range of vitamin and mineral supplements, including Biogen Omega 3, Biogen Zinc, Biogen Magnesium Glycinate and Biogen Supreme Probiotic 9-Strain, and turmeric and cranberry extracts.
“I have ice baths and massages, and ensure I get the right amount of sleep every night. I also use quiet downtime to recharge.”
Rowing
- IG: @johnsmithgold and @baxterrow
- Event: Men’s Pair
- In action from: 11h00 (CEST time), 28 July
- Venue: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
South African rowing legend John Smith will achieve sporting greatness in Paris 2024 by competing in his fourth Olympic Games alongside his RMB National Rowing Squad teammate and former Under-23 World Champion, Chris Baxter.
The dynamic duo enjoyed a solid build to the Games after qualifying in 2023 by making it to the A-final of the men’s pair competition at the World Championships held in Belgrade.
Based at the High Performance Centre of the University of Pretoria (Tuks), the team trained under the guidance of National Head Coach Tiago Loureiro and Technical Performance Manager Grant Dodds at Roodeplaat Dam, a beautiful international-standard rowing course.
According to Chris, the team’s typical training week is intense and highly structured. “We usually train six days a week, with two to three sessions a day. This includes water sessions, ergometer sessions and weight training.”
When the guys hit the gym, they focus on building overall strength, with an emphasis on their legs, back, and core. “We do a mix of heavy lifting, such as squats and deadlifts, and functional movements that mimic the rowing stroke,” explains Chris.
“We also incorporate a variety of exercises, including Olympic lifts, compound movements like bench presses and rows, and plyometrics to enhance power and explosiveness,” adds John.
The team incorporates cardio cross-training into their weekly routine to improve their endurance and maintain overall fitness, such as running or cycling.
The guys eat a balanced diet, focusing on high-quality proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. John says the focus is on nutrient-rich foods, with an emphasis on fresh, whole foods.
“We make sure to get enough protein for muscle repair, and carbs for energy, while also staying hydrated with plenty of water and Biogen Electrolyte+ for hydration.”
The team also incorporate Informed-Sport tested Biogen supplements into their performance nutrition plan.
“We use Biogen Iso-Whey Protein shakes post-workout and use products from their Platinum range of vitamins to fill any nutritional gaps,” adds John. “Knowing these supplements are WADA-compliant is essential for our peace of mind and integrity in the sport.”
According to Chris, optimal recovery entails a mix of proper nutrition, hydration, and rest. “We also use techniques like ice baths, massages, and compression gear to aid muscle recovery.” Post-training recovery also includes stretching and flexibility work to prevent injuries.
“We engage in regular mobility work and foam rolling to keep our muscles supple and ready for the next session,” continues John.
Sleep and active recovery sessions like light rowing or swimming are additional elements in the team’s recovery strategy.
- IG: @andybirkettathlete
- Event: Men’s K-2 500m sprint
- In action from: 11h00 (CEST time), 28 July
- Venue: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
Andy Birkett is arguably South Africa’s greatest ever canoeist. He has 14 Dusi Canoe Marathon victories, with a record number of wins in the Drak Challenge & Fish Rover Canoe events to his name, along with multiple World Championship titles and World Cup wins.
Andy will compete with teammate Hamish Lovemore in the Men’s K-2 500m sprint at the Paris Olympics.
Andy uses Biogen supplements to fuel his training and racing, using a combination of Biogen Carbogen and Cytogen Racing Mix – Naartjie is his preferred flavour – when he is on the water to take on carbs during training sessions to avoid running flat.
“We weekly training consists of 11 paddle sessions and 4 gym sessions,” says Andy. “Biogen Recovergen and Biogen Premium Iso-Whey (Choc Brownie flavour) are my go-to options after gym or a hard paddle to help me recover.”
Andy also dissolves one Biogen Electrolyte+ tab in a bottle every day to try replace lost electrolytes.
Mountain biking
- IG: @candice_mtb
- In action from: 14h10 (CEST time), 28 July
- Event: Cross-Country Mountain Bike
- Venue: Elancourt Hill, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
Three years after winning a bronze medal at the 2009 Junior World Championships, Candice was selected to represent South Africa at her first Olympic Games in London 2012.
She competed again at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and earned another bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Candice has now set her sights on a top 10 finish at her third Olympic Games, after coming off a stellar season in 2023.
She narrowly missed out on a World Championship jersey after finishing second in the 2023 UCI XCM World Championships, crossing the line a mere 54 seconds behind winner Mona Mitterwalner from Austria. Her World Championship Silver medal topped off a stellar year of achievements, which included the SA National Mountain Bike XCO and inaugural XCC titles, and a second place at the 2023 Absa Cape Epic.
In 2024, Candice partnered with Mona for the 2024 Absa Cape Epic, with the duo convincingly winning the 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Tankwa Trek presented by Biogen in February as part of their preparations, which served as an ideal base from which to build for the Olympics and 2024 World Championships.
She carried her impressive form into the UCI MTB World Cup XCO season, earning a breakthrough podium result at the Women’s Elite XCO race in Val Di Sole in June after finishing third.
The result was the ideal confidence booster going into the final Olympic build, adding Candice’s name to the list of potential medallists in the Women’s Cross-Country event.
Candice starts her race-day fuelling the night before the event with a meal carb-rich. “I stick to foods that are low in fibre to avoid digestive issues and foods that I am used to eating.”
For her pre-race breakfast, Candice prefers to keep breakfast simple, with carbohydrates the main focus for the meal, adding Biogen Iso-Whey Premium Protein Powder to oats or muesli. She will also eat a Biogen Energy Oats bar or Biogen Energy Nougat bar on the start line.
“The Energy Oats bars are an absolute staple during my training. They are the perfect size and taste for me and I love that there are 4 different flavours to offer variety. Salted caramel will always be my best, though,” says Candice.
During the race, Candice takes in a small bottle of Biogen Cytogen Racing Mix – Naartjie is her best flavour – a Biogen Energy Bar and a Biogen Liquid Energy gel to get in 80-100g of carbohydrates every hour.
“I use gels for interval sessions and in racing a lot! During a 90-minute XCO race, I will take between 4-6 gels. There are so many flavour options, so I never get tired of the taste. One of the more interesting ones is the Biogen Real Food Based Energy Gel Beetroot and Pumpkin flavour, which I enjoy way more than I thought I would.”
She supports her recovery after a race with a Biogen Recovergen shake within 30 minutes of finishing the race.
“You need some protein for muscle repair and recovery, which Recovergen offers in a 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio.” Candice says Strawberry is her go-to flavour for a tasty recovery drink. She also sips on Biogen Hydrate drink mix powder to replace electrolytes lost during the ride.
