Despite being accused of “abusing” and “lying” by South African sports officials, Olympic medallist Sunette Viljoen has not backed down on her assertions she and other athletes are treated shabbily.
After Gideon Sam, president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula handed over cheques and posed with South African medal winners on Tuesday, Viljoen hit out at the team kit and questioned when they would receive their bonuses. On Tuesday, the silver medallist in the javelin took to Twitter once again to voice her displeasure.
“If you train 6 days a week for four long years and then eagerly open your Olympic kit only to be let down... it’s heartbreaking,” tweeted Viljoen. “I am not speaking out only for myself but for the hundreds of other talented athletes who never get a cent of support. I am always the only athlete speaking out and that does not help our cause. Or perhaps I am the only athlete with bad experiences with sports administration.”
She received some support from LJ van Zyl, the 400m hurdler, who tweeted he sold his cellphone “just to help cover some costs for my Rio prep. So don’t feel alone”.
Tubby Reddy, Sascoc chief executive, told eNCA on Wednesday Viljoen, who went public about her battles to secure finances from Sascoc before the Games, was not telling the truth.
“I have proof that Sascoc has spent close to R1 million on Sunette, who is an unbelievable athlete,” said Reddy.Viljoen also called for an investigation into the finances of Sascoc, who had to be bailed out by the Lotto just before the Olympics. Viljoen is currently competing in the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.