Wheelchair racing at the Olympics Olympics, held earlier that year. Athletes who finished in the top three of these competitions did not have the performances included in the overall medal count. However, unofficial medals were awarded to the competitors nevertheless in 1984 by Juan Antonio Samaranch, the International Olympic Committee president. The events were dropped prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and multiple Paralympic gold medallist Chantal Petitclerc stated the decision was a major set-back for the sport, as she favoured its official integration as an Olympic sport. At the inaugural event in 1984 Sharon Hedrick broke the IPC world record to win the women's
South Africa at the 1924 Summer Olympics South Africa at the 1924 Summer Olympics The Union of South Africa competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. 30 competitors, all men, took part in 25 events in 7 sports. Twelve athletes represented South Africa in 1924. It was the nation's fifth appearance in the sport as well as the Games. It was the first time since 1904 that South Africa failed to win a single gold medal in the sport, though the team did have two medal-winning athletes (Atkinson won silver in the short hurdles and McMaster took bronze in the racewalk). Four boxers represented South