Team South Africa’s track and field campaign in Paris ends on high note

Jo-Ane van Dyk closed out Team South Africa’s track and field campaign at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday evening with a touch of silver.

Heading into Saturday’s javelin event, Van Dyk was ranked 11th in the world this year but by the time the final had ended, she had clinched the silver medal after throwing 63.93m.

Her throw was only bettered by the reigning world champion Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan with a gold-medal effort of 65.80m.

Van Dyk had surprised all and sundry with this podium finish. It was a fitting reward for her coach, Potchefstroom-based Terseus Liebenberg, who guided Sunette Viljoen to Olympic silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

This personal triumph for Van Dyk meant so much for her and her family since she is one of three South African medallists who are not funded by the OpEx (Operation Excellence) programme run by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc). The other two are bronze medallist mountain biker Alan Hatherly and the Blitzboks, who are run by SA Rugby.

Van Dyk (silver), Hatherly (bronze), and the Blitzboks (bronze) have added their names to that of the men’s 4x100m relay team (silver) and breaststroke queen Tatjana Smith (gold and silver) on South Africa’s 2024 Olympic Games roll of honour.

The relay team included Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana and Bayanda Walaza.

There were hints of Van Dyk’s fine form after she recorded a personal best throw of 64.22m in the qualifier last Thursday, but the 26-year-old athlete, who was born in Worcester but is now based in Heidelberg, didn’t expect to end up among the medals.

“I dreamt about it but I didn’t expect it,” she said afterwards. “I hoped for it and I’m still amazed. I know what the other girls are capable of.

“In throws (throwing events) it’s up in the air until the last throw, so you can’t be sure of anything. It was only when the fourth girl threw that I knew I was in the medals, and I was like, ‘Woah! I have a medal!’

“It was a crazy night, just seeing everyone in the crowd. I haven’t seen my fiancé cry, or my father cry.”

Very soon it will be the turn of the South African Paralympic squad to keep the country’s flag flying high in Paris, after the opening ceremony on August 28.

“Team South Africa has always competed with pride and excellence at the Paralympics. This edition we expect similar,” said Sascoc CEO Nozipho Jafta.

“The squad represents the best of the best and we are hopeful that our athletes will continue to add to the country’s reputation at the Paralympics. We wish them every success and assure them that they have the support of the entire nation behind them.”

With a roster featuring many acclaimed para-athletes, anticipation is building for a series of proud moments as these athletes showcase extraordinary talents on the grand Paralympic stage in Paris.

The Mercury