An ear that listens or just another talk shop? National men’s 400m hurdles record holder LJ van Zyl hopes Athletics SA’s (ASA) Excellence Workshop will address athletes’ concerns but he has his reservations.
ASA earlier this week announced its preparation squad for next year’s IAAF World Championships in London based on the athletes that achieved the IAAF qualifying standards during the 2016 season.
The aim of the preparation squad, ASA said, was to ready the athletes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games starting with a workshop which will be hosted next weekend in Kempton Park.
The country’s four medallists from the Rio Olympic Games - Wayde van Niekerk, Caster Semenya, Sunette Viljoen and Luvo Manyonga - were all named in a provisional squad of 26 men and 12 women.
National 200m record-holder Anaso Jobodwana and long jumper Khotso Mokoena were among the athletes that did not make the cut.
Athletes, their coaches and managers were invited to the workshop which aim to “strengthen the relationship between the national federation, provinces, athletes, coaches and athletes’ representatives”.
Van Zyl, a veteran of South African track and field, said he had seen this movie before and expected the same ending.
“Incidentally we had one earlier this year and we’ve had this sort of thing since my first senior squad in 2004 and it is the same story every year where they make promises of better support to the athletes,” Van Zyl said.
“I would like to see some sort of contract or at least something down in black and white because they keep on promising they will prepare us for major competitions.”
The 2011 World Championships bronze medallist said ASA claimed it would host a preparation camp ahead of the Rio Olympic Games which did not come to fruition.
Although he believes the concept could turn out as another talk shop, he still feels there was merit in assembling the country’s top talent as it created expectations and excitement ahead of the championships.
“It is a great idea to get everybody together just to get them excited, and once you are named in a squad like this you are automatically motivated and you start looking forward to London.”
Agenda items for the workshop include the site visit to the 2017 IAAF World Championships facilities in London, the 2017 to 2020 selection criteria, incentives and support, an Elite Coaches Networking System, and an Athlete Representative Networking System.
ASA’s plans of compiling a set selection criteria that will be used over the next four years, said Van Zyl, was a positive development for the sport.
“It makes more sense because it doesn’t help if they tell you six months before a world championships that you should have done this or that,” Van Zyl said.
“They told the marathoners only in January that they should have met certain standards last year which is utter nonsense.
“They should give us the criteria in advance - for Tokyo, the world championships or the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
2017 IAAF World Championships preparation squad
Men: Wayde Van Niekerk (200m/400m), Akani Simbine (100m/200m), Ruswahl Samaai (long jump), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Elroy Gelant (5 000m), Stefan Brits (long jump), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), LJ van Zyl (400m hurdles), Henricho Bruintjies (100m), Clarence Munyai (100m/200m), Gift Leotlela (100/200m), Jacob Rozani (800m), Rynardt van Rensburg (800m), Stephen Mokoka (10 000m), Lindsay Hanekom (400m hurdles), Le Roux Hamman (400m hurdles), Dylon Cotter (long jump), Lebogang Shange (20km walk), Wayne Snyman (20km walk), Marc Mundell (50km walk), April Lusapho (marathon), Sibusiso Nzima (marathon), Desmond Mokgobo (marathon), Benedict Moeng (marathon), Tumelo Motlagale (marathon), Xolisa Tyali (marathon).
Women: Sunette Viljoen (javelin throw), Caster Semenya (400m/800m), Wenda Nel (400m hurdles), Lynique Prinsloo (long jump), Carina Horn (100m), Alyssa Conley (100m/200m), Dominique Scott (10 000m), Anel Oosthuizen (20km walk), Irvette van Zyl (marathon), Lebo Phalula (marathon), Lebogang Phalula (marathon), Mapaseka Makhanya (marathon).
The Star